Norma Ruth Price

Norma was known to our family as “Ruth”. Ruth Price was a full blooded Native American Indian from the Choctaw Tribe of Oklahoma. She was born on July 1, 1926 in Antlers to Nathan Hill Benton Sr. of Talihina and Alice Gibson of Antlers. Ruth Price was the eldest of 9 children- Nathan Hill Benton Jr., Benjamin Bohanan, Howard Bohanan, Emma Bohanan Young, Betty Carnes Grunzweig, Nancy Carnes Laybourn, Gloria Carnes Martin, and Wanda Carnes Sawa. She attended elementary school at Wheelock Academy and Haskell High School. Her family started making their way to California in the summer of 1942. Her family settled in Oakland and during her time here she worked at See’s Candy in South San Francisco, Sunshine Biscuits in East Oakland and later retired with Nabisco of Oakland.

She met Robert Nelson Price Sr. at a USO dance that was held at the Four Winds Club in Oakland. They were later married on March 25, 1956 in Reno, NV. Ruth moved in with Robert who was residing in San Francisco at that time. They had 2 children - Patsy Ruth Price and Robert Nelson Price Jr. and began raising them in San Francisco and later moving to Oakland.

Ruth Price lived a rich and self-sufficient life and was continuously surrounded by family. She was actively involved with the American Indian Baptist Church of Oakland for about 31 years, the Intertribal Friendship House and the Four Winds Club. She was generous and gracious to all her friends and family and was much beloved. After Ruth had retired she became involved in the Women Over 40 Group and the Elders Club that met at the Intertribal Friendship House. She also was a part of the Okla Chahta Clan of California and would make yearly trips for the gatherings. During the holidays, we would gather at her house and she would cook us her famous “frybread”. She enjoyed gardening and watching Dancing with the Stars with her grandchildren. We always thought watching the show brought back good memories of when she would go dancing with our grandfather.

Ruth Price is survived by her daughter, Patsy Ruth Price, and her daughter-in-law, Carmen Price. Her grandchildren Sophia Leyva, Robert Nelson Price III, Dania Leyva, Felipe Leyva Jr, Tiffany Price, Patricia Leyva, Melissa Leyva Nava, Robert Swain, Salvador Nava and Amy Leyva. Her great grandchildren Jaden Harris, Salvador Leyva, Miabella Leyva, and Lillybelle. Preceded in death by Robert Nelson Price Sr. and Robert Nelson Price Jr. She also was an aunt and great aunt to over 100 nieces and nephews.

Grandma, you are always and forever in our hearts and memories. We will continue to instill the values you have taught us grandchildren to our future generations. You were so very loved and will be missed by your family.

Pallbearers are Robert Nelson Price III, Felipe Leyva Jr, Douglas Young, Richard Young, David Brown, Robert Paul Martin Jr., Robert Swain, and Salvador Nava.

Honorary Pallbearers are Jaden Harris, Salvador Leyva, Nathan H. Benton Jr., and Benjamin Bohanan.

Visitation will be on Tuesday, October 28, 2014 from 1-7pm at the San Leandro Funeral Home in San Leandro, Ca.

Funeral Service will take place on Wednesday, October 29, 2014 at 10am at the American Indian Baptist Church in Oakland, Ca.

Graveside Service will follow at the Mountain View Cemetery in Oakland, Ca.

In lieu of flowers, family requests donations be made to American Indian Baptist Church in honor of Ruth Price.

Arrangements under the direction of San Leandro Funeral Home, San Leandro, CA.