D. McKinley Price | Raleigh News & Observer

Durwood McKinley Price, 74, well-known Wayne County agri-businessman, passed away unexpectedly on the morning of Wednesday, August 19, 2015.

A native of the Grady’s Crossroads area of Wayne County, it was there that he spent most of his life. He graduated in 1959 from Seven Springs High School and furthered his education at N. C. State University, and was among the first graduating class of State’s Agricultural Institute. He had served in the N. C. National Guard, was a life-long member of the Methodist Church, and recently had been worshipping at Daniels Memorial United Methodist Church in Goldsboro. He was a past member of the board of directors of Tri County Electric Membership Corporation.

McKinley, for many years, operated D. M. Price and Sons, Inc. He enjoyed raising livestock, particularly his cattle, and held vast farming interests in Wayne, Duplin, Lenoir, Sampson, and Greene Counties. A well-respected Wayne County citizen, he was one who gave more than he ever received, was a great friend to all--people, animals, and the world.

Visitation with the Price family will take place at Tyndall Funeral Home in Mount Olive between the hours of 7 and 9 Saturday evening, August 22, and at other times, at the residence in the village of Walnut Creek. Services to celebrate his life will be at the funeral home Sunday, August 23, at 5 p.m., officiated by Pastor Colby Leonard, with interment following at Seven Springs United Methodist Church Cemetery, the “church on the hill.”

Mr. Price is survived by his wife, Barbara Herring Price; two daughters and sons-in-law, Summer Price Williams and Michael Williams of Mount Olive, and Meredith Price Cox and Aldon Cox of Jacksonville; a son, Sterling James-Charles Price of Raleigh; three grandchildren, Jonathan Michael Williams of Mount Olive, and Madelyn Annette Cox and Caroline McKinley Cox, both of Jacksonville; three step-daughters and sons-in-law, Lea Layne Davis and Bernie Davis of Farmville, Suzanna Weil and Stephen Weil of Goldsboro, and Jan Epps and John Epps of Williamsport, Penn.; a step-son, Daniel Hinson of Newmanstown, Penn.; four step-grandchildren, Dylan Lloyd Harris of Greenville, Martin Alexander Harrell and Joshua Allen Harrell, both of Farmville, and Jaymen Bailey Epps of Williamsport, Penn.; many special cousins; two brothers-in-law with whom he had spent much time in recent months, A. J. Herring and wife, Annie, of Goldsboro, and Dr. Travis Lloyd Herring of Orange City, Fla.; and by “Granny Gay,” (Gay H. Sullivan) of Mount Olive, his children’s grandmother.

He was preceded in death by his first wife and the mother of his children, Beneshia Sullivan Price; his parents, Durwood M. and Minnie Grady Price; his parents-in-law, Swannie and Lebron Lloyd Herring; and by “Mr. Bill,” (William G.) Sullivan, his children’s grandfather.

While flowers are welcome to honor his life, it is because of his being a staunch patron of education, that memorial gifts are suggested to be made to the following educational opportunities:

D. McKinley and Barbara Price Endowment, N.C. Agricultural Foundation, Inc., Campus Box 7645, N. C. State University, Raleigh, NC 27695-7645;

D. McKinley and Barbara Price Study Abroad Scholarship, East Carolina University Foundation, Office of Gift Records, 2200 South Charles Blvd.., Greenville, NC 27858; Herring-Price Endowment Fund or the Agricultural Fund, University of Mount Olive, 634 Henderson Street, Mount Olive, NC 28365;

or Daniels Memorial United Methodist Church, 2802 East Ash Street, Goldsboro, NC 27530.

Online condolence messages may be noted at www.tyndall fh.com

A Tyndall Service, Mount Olive, N.C.