Elnora Ross Price
(1934 — 2014)

As remembered by Thomas Madison Armstrong
August 24, 2014

It was on June 23, 1961 that one of my classmates, Mrs. Mary Harrison Lee and I met Ms. Elnora Price. We met while on a trip to the Trailways Bus Terminal in Jackson Mississippi, in the station wagon owned and operated by Mrs. A.M.E. Logan known by many as the Mother of the Jackson Mississippi Civil Rights Movement. No humor existed during that meeting. We had decided that we wanted to integrate the Jackson, Mississippi Trailways Bus Terminal. With that thought in mind, Elnora became one of the now famous Tougaloo Four Freedom Riders which included Elnora, Mary Harrison Lee, Joseph Ross and myself, Thomas Armstrong

Elnora's early environment instilled the confidence in her that let her know that one day she could help change the world for the better.

She saw loneliness and depression and tried to provide encouraging words to all who would listen. She saw fear and tried to tame it. She stood up for those who would not or could not stand for themselves. She spoke up for those who could not or would not speak for themselves. She saw the words colored and white hanging from water fountains and helped to eradicate them. Like our mentor, Medgar Evers, Elnora stood for peace, love, and the right to vote.

On August 9, 2014 our battle for freedom grew just a little weaker with the loss of Freedom Rider Elnora Ross Price. Another foot soldier for peace and freedom, a foot soldier who on the battlefield fought the good fight has been called home to rest.

To Mary Harrison Lee and me, Elnora was indeed a friend. To Mary and me, Elnora was our hero.

Thomas Armstrong
Mary Harrison Lee

Words spoken at:
New Mount Zion Baptist Church
Jackson Mississippi
August 16, 2014

 

Elnora Price

Thomas Armstrong

Joseph Ross

Mary Harrison Lee

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