Gaynell Price

“I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course,

I have kept the faith.” II Timothy 4:17

Lady Gaynell Price, affectionately known as, “Gee,” transitioned from this earthly life, on Sunday, June 23, 2019. She was the third child of Charles and Emma Craft, born October 6, 1947, in Denver, CO.

Lady Gaynell graduated from Manual High School, Denver, Colorado in 1965. While there, she was a member of the choir. She went on to attend Northwestern Junior Business College in Boulder, Colorado, where she earned an associate degree in business. At Northwestern, Gaynell met Diane Clark, Beverly Johnson, and Paula Simmons. The four would become close friends and end up singing together. They also liked to eat together. They’re love of music is how they came up with their group’s name, the Longburgh Hungry Singers. After completing her education, Gaynell began working for Information Technology Company (IBM) as the Treasury Secretary.

Lady Gaynell met Bishop Willie F. Price, Sr. in 1968 while he was stationed at Fitzsimons Army Base in Denver. Their relationship began with her admiring his pitching skills on the baseball field and blossomed into romance just before Bishop shipped out to Seoul, Korea. The two were married in September of 1971. The first of their three sons, Willie “Duke” F. Price Jr., was born in June of 1974. A second son, Kelvis L. Price was born in July of 1975, and in October 1984, the couple welcomed a third boy, Jason D. Price, Sr.

Lady Gaynell’s passion for children and education was reflected in the more than twenty years she worked in the Milwaukee Public School System. Gaynell was a secretary at Kluge Middle School. She also worked at Elm Creative Arts Elementary School when Jason was in K-4. Sometimes he could be found in the office grabbing onto Gaynell’s leg as she worked. After three years at Elm, Gaynell became the Administrative Secretary to Principal Ogunbowal at Washington High School, where she stayed 19 years, until her retirement.

Gaynell accepted Christ as her Lord and Savior, while under the leadership of the late Bishop William Rogers at the Bethlehem Temple Church. Gaynell and her family joined the fellowship at Power House of Deliverance under the direction and spiritual guidance of, the late Ada L. Price, Pastor and Founder of Power House of Deliverance Apostolic Faith Church. It was at PHD that Lady Gaynell was licensed and ordained into the ministry.

In 2005, Lady Gaynell and Bishop Price established the Tabernacle of Joy Apostolic Church, which was located at 35th and Townsend, Milwaukee, WI. They worshipped at this location for one year before moving to 27th and Melvina. Due to continued growth, Tabernacle of Joy moved to its more significant and permanent home at 5229 N. 51st Blvd. In November 2018, The Tabernacle of Joy Church family celebrated its 13th year in ministry.

Lady Gaynell was a devoted wife and honorable First Lady of Tabernacle of Joy. She was passionate about serving those around her. Had it not been for health concerns, Lady Gaynell was scheduled to be installed as pastor of the church she served with such grace. The weeks before her passing, Lady Gaynell could often be heard singing, It’s only a test, it will all be over real soon. She would even ask those visiting to sing along with her.

Lady Gaynell was preceded in death by her parents Charles and Emma Craft; sister, Arlene Craft, brothers, Charles Jr. and Donald R. Craft; husband, Bishop Willie F. Price, Sr.; one son, Kelvis L. Price; and a nephew, Cornelius L. Johnson.

Left to cherish her memory are two sons, Willie “Duke” F. Price, Jr. (Gaynell) and Jason D. Price, Sr. (Erin). Lady Gaynell is also survived by 12 grand-children, Willie “Pumpkin” F. Price III, Tajmere and Mikael Pitman, Brianna and Brandie Davis Price, Najeh, Noah, Michael, Elijah, Jason D. Jr., Jackson “Frick” and Maya “Frack” Price; three great-grand-children, Jaden, Ava and Ashton Price; four brothers-in-law, James (Eloise) Jackson, TN, Eugene (Denise) Lumberton, NC, Ricky (Monica), and Joseph (Regina) all of Milwaukee, WI; five sisters-in-law, Hattie Terrel (James), Conyers, GA, Dottie Woods (Jerome) Southaven, MS, Carolyn Murphy, Fayetteville, NC, Barbara Williams (Dexter) of Milwaukee, WI, Arlene Cephus (Leroy) of Lithonia, GA; sister, Charlene Seymore (James); Brothers, Donnie (Terrie), Ronnie, and Richard Craft; and Aunt Luvenia Craft all of Denver, CO. Lady Price will be missed by a host of nieces, nephews, uncles, aunts, cousins, friends, and the members of Tabernacle of Joy Apostolic Church of Milwaukee, WI.