Claudia Ruth (Hamrick) Price

Goodbye, World, Goodbye...

Claudia Ruth Price of Longview, Texas, was received into the arms of her Lord on July 19, 2022, the name of her savior, Jesus, and the names of her loved ones on her lips often in her final days.

She was born in Dallas, Texas on August 17, 1932, to Claude and Josephine Hamrick and is preceded in death by the love of her life, John W. Price; by her sister and brother- in-law, Joanne and CC Hanna; as well as her grandson, Jason Melton.

Claudia is survived by a large, loving family including her two children – son, Joe Ingargiola, of Longview; daughter, Toni Ingargiola Draper and Jim Draper of Longview – and five stepchildren, Sue and Roger Melton; Julie Schnitzer; John Jr. and Sarah Price; Dixie Price Rottler; and Debbie Price Willinger, all of Dallas; niece and nephew, Laurie Ferguson and Charles Hanna; 14 grandchildren and a number of great-grands as well as many special friends at Brookdale Sr. Living where she lived for 13 years.

Claudia and John married in Houston on May 11, 1964, and moved to Longview in October 1971 where they lived out the rest of their lives. They were members of Trinity Episcopal Church and, later, St. Michael & All Angels Episcopal. Late in life, Claudia returned to the Catholic Church. Faithful friends, Mary and Doug Schroer, brought her communion every Saturday evening.
Claudia graduated from NR Crozier Tech H.S. in Dallas. She enjoyed a career as a fashion buyer in Children's and Junior ready-to-wear at Sanger-Harris in Dallas and Joske's in Houston for 17 years. Claudia joined her husband in his business as a Sales Representative in ladies’ ready-to-wear. They had a blast traveling the U.S. and working side-by- side. After his death, she continued to work for Welch Funeral Home and St. Mark C.M.E. Church in Longview.

A natural leader and spunky go-getter, Claudia reluctantly retired in 2002. She continued to use her God-given talent of organization and leadership at Brookdale, helping organize Bible studies, church services, and whatever else caught her attention, like renting and showing movies at least twice a week for the other residents. Claudia nurtured and was nurtured by so many good folks at Brookdale.
Her family will forever be grateful for the excellent, loving care our Mom was given by the Brookdale staff. They hung in there with us to the end. There are too many sweet, loving people to name, but you know who you are. We also wish to thank Heart to Heart Hospice for the excellent care you gave the last 2 years.
You all hold a special place in our heart. You loved her well.

As Claudia rejoices in her reunions in the presence of God, her family will celebrate her life with a small gathering in the future, honoring one of the last directions she gave: to play two of her favorite songs, Bob Cain’s “I’ve Got a New Song to Sing” by the Gaithers and “Goodbye, World, Goodbye.”