Lee Watson Price

Lee Watson Price, age 90, former Mayor of Adamsville, Tennessee was born May 6, 1923 in Gibson County, Tennessee to Julius Franklin and Mary Lettle Selph Price. In his early years, he lived on a farm with his seven brothers and sisters. He married Josephine (Jo) Stewart on February 8, 1941. They were married 55 years before Mrs. Price's passing on August 29, 1996.

Mr. Price enlisted in the United States Navy during World War II. He trained in the Philippines for the invasion of Japan. After his Navy service, he returned to West Tennessee and started his business and civic career.

Mr. Price was mayor of Adamsville during the Governor Ray Blanton administration. Under his leadership, new state revenue for development promoted Adamsville and surrounding areas with additional growth.

Mr. Price was a Chevrolet dealer for over 25 years. After graduating from West Tennessee Business College in 1947, he moved to Savannah, TN and started his dealership career as bookkeeper for Emmett Yeiser Chevrolet. From there he moved to Thomas Chevrolet in Adamsville and became partners with two generations of Thomas' over several decades. The dealership was recognized by Chevrolet Motor Division for their excellence in sales and customer service.

After retiring from the automobile business, Mr. Price started Watson Price Realty and ultimately became a real estate appraiser. He enjoyed that profession until his retirement at the age of 87.

Mr. Price had been a member of the First Baptist Church in Adamsville, TN since 1955, serving in many positions as well as deacon. He was very involved in community and civic organizations serving as chairman of the McNairy County Election Commission.

Mr. Price departed this life on January 13, 2014 in Savannah, Tennessee at the age of 90 Years, 8 Months, 7 Days. He leaves a legacy of Christian faithfulness and integrity to his loving family: his daughter, Rita van Rijn and fiancé Steven Stensgaad of Eden Prairie, MN; his son, Timothy Lee Price and fianceé Linda Morris of Collierville, TN; his grandchildren, Natalie Yarbrough of Cordova, TN, Alexandria van Rijn Curry and husband Chris of Bloomington, MN, Richae Price of Cordova, TN; Danielle Alexander of Adamsville, TN and Price Alexander of Chicago, IL in addition to eleven great-grandchildren and one great-great granddaughter; his two sisters, Mary Blondell Lubbers in Union City, California and Betty Rodgers in Gadsen, Alabama and many nieces and nephews who will miss their treasured, Uncle Watson.

In addition to his parents and wife, Mr. Watson was preceded in death by his daughter, Rosemarie; granddaughter, Misty and Misty’s daughter, Candice; two sisters, Gertrude Frazine and Jewell Wells; three brothers, Emmett, Jessie and Boyd Price.