Mary Juanita Price-Chase

Juanita's Journey

Mary Juanita Price Chase, 85 years young, of Leonardtown, MD, known to everyone as Juanita, was born on June 28, 1934, in Clements, MD, and was the youngest of 15 children born to the late William Henry Mills and Millie Young-Mills. Juanita went home peacefully to be with the Lord on Friday, June 5, 2020 surrounded by family at her home. Juanita was educated through the St. Mary's County School System and graduated from Banneker High School in 1952. She was united in Holy Matrimony to the late James Harrison Price, Sr. (Squirrel) on June 19, 1954 at Our Lady of the Wayside Church in Chaptico, MD, until he went to be with the Lord. Together their love produced nine children -- seven (7) sons and two (2) daughters.

Juanita started her career at Dynard Elementary School as a Teacher's Aide and went on to become a Parent Coordinator at the Southern Maryland Tri-County Head Start Program in Hughesville, MD. She really enjoyed the work and would reminisce about the great time she had traveling with her co-workers. On November 18, 1988, Juanita was joined in Holy Matrimony to the late Howard Chase, and moved to Leonardtown, MD although Clements (Cross Road) remained in her heart.

Juanita was a vibrant and feisty woman who absolutely loved her family, especially her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren! Her home was always open to family and friends, and she adored having everyone together and cooking up a traditional Southern, MD feast, which usually consisted of at least five different meats! The thought of her crab cakes, stuffed ham, BBQ ribs, kale, and potato salad have been known to cause a stampede! If you were lucky enough to sit at her table, you left full, happy, and blessed --- and sometimes a little tipsy! Juanita never stopped at just the main course, she loved to bake, and could make the best caramel nut pound cake, which was a real treat. She was known to say, "I make my cakes from scratch! I don't use box mix!!"

Juanita had a heart of gold and a love for life. She loved to play Pokeno and dance---and could Jitterbug with the best! She rejoiced in the Lord and her family. She loved being outside with nature, truly enjoyed sports, and could hit a baseball like a pinch-hitter well into her years! She was well known for working the baseball concession stands at White Pine, especially while her children were playing. Juanita was a pro at gardening and was able to grow many delicious vegetables for canning and freezing. She also enjoyed raising chickens and being able to get fresh eggs daily. Memories of her joy will last a lifetime, and knowing that she is in Heaven, and making sure Mack is behaving, will bring peace to her family.

Juanita was preceded in death by her parents, husbands, siblings: Arthur Mills, Mary Settles, Genevieve Carter, William Mills, Jr., Aloysius Mills, Gantt Mills, Leonard Mills, Catherine Kerrick, Victor Mills, Jean Bush, Helen Shade, and Bernice Baker, and her loving son, Melvin "Mack" Price, Sr, who went to Heaven just four weeks before she did.

Juanita is survived by her children: Xavier (Arlene), Alfrita (Rilo), Carol, James (Paulette), Francis, Windell (Renee), Timmy, and Ricky, grandchildren: Melvin Jr, Temekia, LT (Ashley), Karena, Lakesha, Latesha (Keyira), Tanicia, JW, Shelita, and Alexis; great grandchildren: Keddryck, Dnajysha, Camryn, Jaden, Bryon, Alenah, Autumun, Aubrey, Tyresha, Tyreke, Najae, Zaire, Zyah, Nevaeh, Zyona, Scencer, and Solomon; sisters: Lillian Fenwick and Ann Bowman; Sisters-in-Law: Eleanor Young, Hilda Myers (Louis), Helen Johnson; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends! She will surely be missed!!