Leona Margaret Price

Leona Margaret Dillard Price April 30, 1926 October 25, 2013 Leona Margaret Dillard Price, of Waco, passed away on October 25. Graveside services will be 11:30 a.m., Saturday, November 2, at Oakwood Cemetery. Visitation will be 6:00 8:00 p.m., Friday, November 1, at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey. Leona was a 3rd generation Wacoan, born to Clarence Matthew Dillard and Sarah May Johnston Dillard. She graduated from Baylor University where she met and fell in love with Baylor's quarterback from Belle Vernon, Pa. She and Jack Otto Price were married for 63 years. They were also life partners in careers, both working in Waco ISD where Leona taught Health and PE for 39 years and Jack was a coach and Athletic Director. Many times you would find Leona chauffeuring coaches' wives and kids to football games and even once filled in as a JV boys' basketball coach. Supporting Jack in all of his athletic endeavors was her "second" career. From 1948-1975, Leona and Jack worked summers at Camp Rio Vista in Ingram, Texas. Not only did Leona serve as Office Manager, Camp Store Manager, and run the Craft Lodge, but she acted as the "Mom away from home" for so many campers. She was warm, affectionate, and an honest counselor. Her outgoing and strong personality enabled her to make many lasting and dear friends at Rio Vista. She was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award by Camp Directors of the Camping Assoc. in the Texas Hill Country. Leona enjoyed needle work, painting, and crafts. But her main hobby was people. She was so hospitable and quite a conversationalist, making everyone feel comfortable and special. Her grandchildren, Maggie and Price Ferguson, describe her as someone who never met a stranger. She had a great love of kids and was a mentor and confidant to friends and family alike. As a wonderful example of God's true love, Leona devoted her life to enriching the lives of others. She was a member of Central Presbyterian Church in Waco. Leona was preceded in death by her husband, Jack Otto Price; her mother and father, Sarah May Johnston Dillard and Clarence Matthew Dillard; and her brother, Clarence Matthew Dillard, Jr. She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Sarah and Rob Ferguson, Katy, Texas; grandson, Price Ferguson, Ruston, Louisiana; Margaret Leona "Maggie" Ferguson, Katy, Texas; and nephew Ed Price and wife, Pam, Lorena, Texas. Leona's loving, gracious, and wise spirit will be greatly missed by her family whom she dearly cherished. She was a wonderful parent and grandparent. Many thanks to all of her friends and caregivers who supported and cared for her throughout the years and during her illness. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Curing Children's Cancer Fund CCCFund.org. The family invites you to leave a message or memory in our "Memorial Guestbook" at www.WilkirsonHatchBailey.com.