Leora Arlene (Schultz) Price, the kindest mother, best grandma, greatest great-grandma, and soon to be a great-great grandma, was called home to be with the Lord at 11:19 a.m. on Friday, January 23, 2026.
Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, at Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton with the Pastor John Odle officiating. Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. until the funeral hour of 1:00 p.m. Burial will follow at Masonic and Odd Fellows Cemetery in Benton.
Leora lived a life rooted in love, faith, and quiet strength. She had a heart that served others without needing recognition. Her presence made people feel safe, cared for, and loved. She was the kind of person who showed up through daily phone calls, words of encouragement, prayers spoken out loud and those whispered silently. Loving others was not something she tried to do; it was simply who she was. She loved deeply and gave generously of her time and heart. She took pride in those she loved and never missed a chance to remind them how proud she was of them. Her love reflected Christ’s love – steady, patient, and unconditional.
She will be remembered through many memories held close by those who loved and knew her, and she will be honored through the life she lived. Her greatest work was her family. She taught them personally how to face life’s challenges, how to make hard choices, and how to stand firm with faith and integrity. Her lessons were not only spoken, but lived and will continue to guide her family for generations. Leora was a fighter coming from a long bloodline of fighters and carried both her maiden name and married name with honor and legacy. Leora grew up on a family farm in Ashley, Illinois and often talked of working hard and driving the tractor for long hours. She was the last surviving child of Fred and Eula Schultz.
On November 21, 1953, Leora married Rev. Kenneth E. Price marking 52 years of marriage when he passed in 2005. They made their home in West City, Illinois where Leora was a homemaker and a Mary Kay Consultant for over 50 years. She was a longtime member of First Baptist Church of Benton and then of Immanuel Baptist Church of Benton. Leora was a plant enthusiast and prided herself on her lilac and rose bushes. She was also a diehard St. Louis Cardinals fan and loved watching bull riding. Leora enjoyed living close to her dear friend, Carole Rea.
Leora is survived by son Alan (Lisa) Price and their children and grandchildren; Victoria (Jeremy) Jackson, children Remington and Raelynn, and Nicholas Price; daughter Kendra (Les) Newbury and their children and grandchildren: Kendra Richelle Bigham, Melody (Matthew) Morgan, children Jayden and Kaitlyn Leora; April (James) Srna, children Jacob and Andrew; Jon (BJ) Newbury, children Tegan and Raylan; Brittany (Justin) McElroy, children Chesney and Randi; and their son Brad (Mary Lou) Price and their children and grandchildren: Amy (James Dunagan) Price Heard and children Tyler and Chase; Emily Price and daughter Lexi; adopted son Clinton Reed; and daughter Maggie (Travis) Kovach and their son Carter.
Leora was called to attend a special family reunion reunited at last with her loving husband, Reverend Kenneth E. Price; her parents Fred and Eula Schultz, her brothers, Fred Jr., Ervin, and Charles Schultz, her sisters Helen Hyde, Velma Patterson, Imogene Walker and Janice Miller, and a special aunt, Adeline Moore.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Benton Ministerial Alliance Food Pantry, Manna Missions, and Jackson Grove Baptist Church Brown Bag Ministry and will be accepted at the funeral home.
For more information or to send online condolences please visit www.mortonjohnstonfuneralhome.com
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