BENTON – Mrs. Leora Arlene Price, formerly Schultz, died at 11:19 a.m. Friday, Jan. 23, 2026.
Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2026, at Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton, with Pastor John Odle officiating. Visitation will be held from 10 a.m. until the service time. Burial will follow at Masonic and Odd Fellows Cemetery in Benton.
Price was known for her quiet strength, deep faith and lifelong devotion to her family. She lived a life rooted in service to others, offering encouragement through daily phone calls, spoken and silent prayers, and a steady, loving presence. Her greatest work was her family, whom she taught by example to face life’s challenges with faith and integrity. Her influence and lessons will continue to guide future generations.
She was born and raised on a family farm in Ashley, Illinois, where she learned the value of hard work at an early age. She was the last surviving child of Fred and Eula Schultz.
On Nov. 21, 1953, she married the Rev. Kenneth E. Price. The couple shared 52 years of marriage before his death in 2005. They made their home in West City, Illinois, where she was a homemaker and worked as a Mary Kay consultant for more than 50 years.
She was a longtime member of First Baptist Church of Benton and later Immanuel Baptist Church of Benton. She enjoyed gardening, particularly caring for her lilac and rose bushes, and was an avid St. Louis Cardinals fan. She also enjoyed watching bull riding and spending time near her close friend, Carole Rea.
Survivors include sons, Alan (Lisa) Price and Brad (Mary Lou) Price; daughter, Kendra (Les) Newbury; grandchildren and great-grandchildren: Victoria (Jeremy) Jackson, Remington Jackson, Raelynn Jackson, Nicholas Price, Kendra Richelle Bigham, Melody (Matthew) Morgan, Jayden Morgan, Kaitlyn Leora Morgan, April (James) Srna, Jacob Srna, Andrew Srna, Jon (BJ) Newbury, Tegan Newbury, Raylan Newbury, Brittany (Justin) McElroy, Chesney McElroy, Randi McElroy, Amy (James Dunagan) Heard, Tyler Heard, Chase Heard, Emily Price, Lexi Price, Maggie (Travis) Kovach and Carter Kovach; and an adopted son, Clinton Reed.
She was preceded in death by her husband, the Rev. Kenneth E. Price; her parents; brothers: Fred Schultz Jr., Ervin Schultz and Charles Schultz; sisters: Helen Hyde, Velma Patterson, Imogene Walker and Janice Miller; and an aunt, Adeline Moore.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Benton Ministerial Alliance Food Pantry, Manna Missions or Jackson Grove Baptist Church Brown Bag Ministry. Donations will be accepted at the funeral home.
For more information or to send online condolences, visit mortonjohnstonfuneralhome.com.