Alverna J. Price, of Smyrna, passed away March 1, 2016 after a week's stay at Kent General Hospital in Dover. She was a month away from her 99 th birthday. Mother, known to her grandkids as Gramma, and more recently as GG to her great grandkids cherished the time she was given to spend with all her family. She is survived by her daughter Susan and son- in-law Nick Rosello, five grandchildren and their spouses, and 16 great grandkids. She was preceded in death by her husband Henry T. Price, her son H. Thompson (Tommy) Price Jr and her sister Carlene Richardson.

Born Alverna Jones daughter of Clifford and Martha Jones, she grew up on a farm east of Smyrna and would never let you forget it. Throughout her life she remained the strongest woman I have ever known. A graduate of Beacom College, she worked on campus for a year before moving back to Smyrna where she married her sweetheart Henry Price in 1937. They started a family, having a son and a daughter and moved to Main Street in downtown Smyrna, where she lived out the rest of her life. She cherished the time she was given to spend with her family, watching her kids, their children, and even their children, grow.

She was a lifelong member of Asbury United Methodist Church, where she spent years as a Sunday school teacher, a member of the choir, and helped found the Asbury Church Bazaar which is still a mainstay in Smyrna today. Her devotion to the church and its surrounding community is unparalleled and remained one of her passions late in life.

With the help of Delaware Hospice she cared for a dying husband and son simultaneously. As a thank you for their help she became a volunteer for the Hospice organization where she did everything from answer phones, to greet visitors, all while performing office support for the staff members. She found time to visit patients, run errands and even bake cookies. She was also an integral part of the festival of trees in Dover. In 2012 she was recognized for her 25 years of service.

She was the matriarch of our family, the historian, and the biggest fan at sporting events and school activities. She loved parades, marching bands (and gosh darn it, the band better play when they marched in front of her house). She was loved and deeply respected by all who knew her. To the end she was tough and outspoken, yet compassionate and deeply caring.

Mother, Gramma, GG, we love you and we will miss you tremendously.

Services will be held 1:30 PM Sunday March 6 at Asbury U.M. Church, 20 W. Mt. Vernon St., Smyrna. Burial will be in Glenwood Cemetery, Smyrna.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be sent to Asbury U.M. Church, 20 W. Mt. Vernon St., Smyrna, DE 19977

To sign the online guestbook, please visit www.matthewsbryson.com.

Arrangements are by Matthews-Bryson Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Smyrna.