Elbert Webster Price

1926 – 2021

Born over 95 years ago in July 1926, to Elbert Webster Price, Sr., and Grace Chapman in Memphis, Tennessee, artist/sculptor Elbert Webster Price passed away in Ventura, California, on the 16th day of September. Growing up in Oklahoma and Arkansas, Elbert, a WWII veteran, joined the Navy in 1944.

After serving, he attended the Art Institute of Pittsburgh, in Pennsylvania. In the late 1940’s, Elbert began his career in advertising and educational television in Memphis, Tennessee. He then became Executive Director with the United Fund and United Appeals organizations in Alexandria and Lake Charles, Louisiana. Later he became a stockbroker in the Lake Charles area for many years. In 1984, Elbert relocated to Santa Barbara, California to pursue his dream, art as a full time occupation.

A lifelong artist and sculptor, Elbert also loved sailing, cooking, gardening, bicycling, and repairing anything that was broken. He also greatly enjoyed designing/building and he constructed several boats, houseboats, and a house on the “bayou” located on Lake Street in Lake Charles. He built these and many other structures along with his wife, Shirley.

Elbert is survived by his wife of 40 years, Shirley Tracy Leger Price; his former spouse, Blanche Joan Van Deveer Price Sullivan; and their four children, Julia Price-Kent, Karen Price Luda, David W. Price, and Kathryn Price Murphy, He is also survived by his stepchildren, Mary Leger Spaulding, Steven E. Leger, Connie Leger Owens, Linda Leger Cannizzaro, and his fourteen grandchildren and five great grandchildren.

Elbert Price’s legacy will survive through his many paintings, sketches, and sculptures. These works of art will continue to bring joy to those who share them.