January 27, 2026, 63, Mount Olive – Lori Jane Price Gardner, resident of Mount Olive, passed away Tuesday, January 27, 2026, while at Wayne UNC Healthcare.
Jane, as she was known, worshipped at First United Methodist Church in Mount Olive. It was there that she recently had served as administrative secretary and office manager, and she also had been secretary for the Peanut Crew, a group of community-oriented folks who come together to cook peanuts, sell them, and use the proceeds for various community projects and outreach situations.
She had been previously employed by her brothers as a secretary at McKee Oil Company and Friendly Marts, Inc. until their closure and assumption by another company.
A service at which to remember Jane will be Friday, January 30, at 3 p.m. at First United Methodist Church, corner of North Church and East James Streets, Mount Olive. Visitation amongst family and friends will follow the service at the church.
Memorial contributions may be made to First United Methodist Church, or to the Peanut Crew, both at PO Box 420, Mount Olive, NC 28365.
Jane leaves behind her brothers and sisters-in-law, Michael and Marie Price, and Neil and Emily Price, all of Mount Olive; nieces, Jill Price and husband, Jeff Johnson, of Hampstead, and Lindsay Price and husband, Steve Kmiec, of Winterville; a nephew, Michael David Price of Mount Olive; her step-children and their spouses, Perry and Amanda Gardner, David and Nancy Gardner, and Kelly Gardner; step-grandchildren, Jessica Adams, P. J. Gardner, and Haley Gardner; step-great-grandchildren, Tyler Kate Adams, Elliette Adams, and Sullivan Adams. Also surviving is a very dear friend, Sherry Williams.
Jane was preceded in death by her husband, Clarence Gardner, to whom she had been married for 39 years; and her parents, Elton Ray Price and Doris Lorraine Daly Price.
