Melba Mumford Price

Melba Jane Mumford Price, 98, of Sanford, NC, passed away peacefully on May 23, 2026, surrounded by loved ones. She was born on November 20, 1927, in Kenly, North Carolina, to Willie H. Mumford and Ila Woodard Mumford.

As a child, Melba had the joy of growing up on a farm in Johnston County with her siblings. After her parents separated, her mother moved Melba and her siblings into the home of her grandfather, Grandpa Woodard, where she became especially close to her 11 aunts and uncles. It was there that she learned the importance of maintaining a strong family unit. Her childhood was filled with faith, hard work, family gatherings, and wonderful food — values that would shape her life.

Melba graduated from Micro High School in 1945 before entering the Cadet Nurse Corps. She later attended the Woman’s College of Greensboro (now UNC Greensboro). In 1949, after his return from military service, she married the love of her life, Elbert Price. Together they were blessed with two sons, E. Campbell Price II (“Camp”) and Philip Wayne Price.

Melba worked in the medical field as an office assistant, lab assistant, and histologist in Lumberton, Chapel Hill, and Sanford. She spent many years working alongside Dr. Ciliberto in Sanford, where she formed lasting friendships that continued well beyond retirement. Her strong work ethic, devotion to family, and partnership with Elbert ensured that their family was always cared for and supported.

A devoted mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend, Melba expressed her love through cooking and by simply being present in the lives of those she cherished. She also never met a dog she didn’t adore. As a mother, she never minded participating in her sons’ antics. Whether it was sledding down hills or attacking waves at the beach, Melba was always up for a challenge even when it could prove a little bit dangerous.

Family celebrations and holidays brought her tremendous joy, especially Christmas. She loved gathering with her extended Woodard family and was known for bringing her famous chocolate pies to holiday celebrations each year. She spent months carefully selecting the perfect gifts for her children and grandchildren and became well known for her beautifully wrapped gifts.

Melba’s life was not without hardship. In her thirties, she was diagnosed with a rare eye disease that caused significant pain and required numerous surgeries. Though her suffering was evident, she never allowed it to overshadow her devotion to her family or her work. Her strength, positivity, and perseverance were sustained by her deep faith and the love of her family.

Melba and Elbert were active members of First Baptist Church of Sanford, where she faithfully taught children’s Sunday School for 49 years, sharing her faith with hundreds of children, including her own grandchildren. No one who went through her Sunday School class will ever forget those Bible drills!

Together, Melba and Elbert enjoyed traveling, playing bridge, and spending time with family. Sadly, their years together were cut short when Elbert passed away in 1997. Even after his death, Melba remained deeply involved in her church and in the lives of those she loved. In her seventies, she decided she wanted to learn to paint — and, true to her determined nature, she did just that. For several years, she created beautiful watercolor paintings that will continue to be treasured by her family.

By her mid-eighties, Melba had developed dementia. The disease gradually separated her from many of the people and activities she loved most, and left a profound void in the lives of her family. Her two sons remained ever faithful, bringing her fried shrimp, milkshakes, sharing songs and smiles until the very end. Though she could no longer remember each person by name, she never lost her joy in seeing family when they visited. She also deeply loved those who cared for her at HeartFields in Cary, North Carolina.

Melba was preceded in death by her parents and her siblings, Dorothy M. Fulghum, Gladys M. Jones, and Will H. Mumford.

Left to cherish her memory and celebrate her life are her sons, Camp Price (Ruth) and Philip Price; her grandchildren, Erin Campbell (Ronald), Stephen Price (Laura), and Rebecca Price (Eric Buzard); and her great-granddaughters, Emma Campbell, Rachel Campbell, Ashlyn Price, Hannah Price, and Campbell Price. She also leaves behind many beloved nieces, nephews, and cousins.

The family extends its heartfelt appreciation to the compassionate caregivers and staff at HeartFields of Cary, who became like family to Melba. Through their constant care and support, she remained happy and engaged throughout the final decade of her life.

A memorial service will be held at First Baptist Church of Sanford at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 27, 2026. The family will receive friends in the church parlor beginning at 12:30 p.m., prior to the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to First Baptist Church of Sanford, 202 Summit Avenue, Sanford, NC 27330, or to the Elbert C. Price Memorial Endowment at Central Carolina Community College Foundation, 1105 Kelly Drive, Sanford, NC 27330.