Martha Sink Price

Martha Sink Price, 73, of Roanoke, Va., passed away peacefully on Sunday, November 22, 2009, with her family at her side after facing the challenges of ovarian cancer for the past five years. Born on October 12, 1936, in Roanoke, Va., Martha spent her life in Roanoke and most recently in Botetourt County. Martha was a devoted and loving wife, mother, daughter, sister, grandmother, cousin, and friend. Her family and friends celebrate her life. Martha graduated from William Fleming High School in 1955 and was a 1958 graduate of Roanoke Memorial Hospital School of Professional Nursing. She worked as a registered nurse at RMH for a number of years and taught in the hospital LPN program. When her children were young, she worked for Dr. A. Lynn Beavers and later taught the Health Occupations course for Roanoke County Schools. She retired from Roanoke City Schools where she had taught in the LPN program until it closed and was State Health Occupations Teacher of the Year in 1991. Martha was very proud to teach nurses and cherished the relationships she had with her nursing students.
Martha loved reading, traveling with her husband and friends, and spending time with her family; especially her grandchildren. She cherished her wild cat "Target," who provided her love and comfort throughout her illness.
Martha was preceded in death by her parents, Howard C. and Stella Hodges Sink.
Loved ones left to cherish her memory include her high school sweetheart and loving, devoted husband of 52 years, Lewis Dean Price, of the home; her son, Michael D. Price and his wife, Janet, of Roanoke; her daughter, Dr. Michele P. Holskey and her husband, Mark, of Botetourt; brother, Donald G. Sink and his wife, Sylvia, of Roanoke; sister, Judy C. Bova and her husband, Billy, of North Myrtle Beach, S.C.; and sister-in-law, Joan P. White, of Roanoke. Also surviving are grandchildren, Erica B. Price, Siera D. Price, Joshua H. Holskey, and Samuel C. Mitchell Jr.; and great-grandson, Michael Peyton Price, all of Roanoke. Additionally, Martha leaves behind a number of special nieces, nephews, and very close cousins. She will be missed by all who knew and loved her.
Martha was a life-long member of Huntington Court United Methodist Church where she was very active. She considered herself blessed by the relationships she had among the Wesleyan Fellowship class, the Rita Engle Circle, and the United Methodist Women.

The family wishes to thank Dr. Dennis Scribner of Carilion Gyn Oncology Associates and the entire staff for the expert compassionate care provided throughout her journey. The family would also like to express deep appreciation to Gentle Shepherd Hospice for the care given to Martha during her illness. Most importantly, the family is forever grateful to loving family members and the many, many friends that have shown Martha and Dean their support, love, and kindness through cards, phone calls, visits, food, and prayers.
The family suggests memorials be made in Martha's memory to your favorite charitable organization or Huntington Court United Methodist Church, (2008 Building Fund) P.O. Box 5066, Roanoke, Va. 24012.
Funeral services to celebrate the life of Martha S. Price will be held 11 a.m. on Friday, November 27, 2009, at Huntington Court United Methodist Church, 3333 Williamson Road, Roanoke, 24014. The Rev. Russell Cheatham will officiate. Following that ceremony, Martha will lay to rest next to her grandmother at Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens. Condolences to the Price family may be posted online at roanoke.com. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, November 24, 2009, from 2 to 4 p.m. and from 6 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, November 25, 2009, at Oakey's North Chapel. Funeral arrangements for the Price Family are entrusted to Oakey's North Chapel, 540-362-1237.