Blanche VanDeveer Price Sullivan

Born in Richmond, Kentucky, to David William VanDeveer and Ruby (Brown) VanDeveer, Blanche had one sibling, an older brother, David William VanDeveer, who predeceased her. A child of the depression born in unstable times who lost her father to pneumonia when she was fourteen months old, she turned to reading for solace and survival. Her lifelong upkeep of that love of reading translated to academic success in high school in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where she lived with her mother, brother, and stepfather Roy Broughton. It was there that she met Elbert W. Price, Jr., an Arkansan studying at the Art Institute of Pittsburgh on the GI Bill. They moved to Arkansas and married, having four children in Little Rock and Memphis who have survived them: Julia Yvonne Price-Kent of Little Rock; Karen Lee Price Luda (Heinz) of Kollweiler, Germany; David William Price (Mia) of Denton, Texas; and Kathryn Price Murphy (Clay) of Little Rock and Dallas, Texas. Seven grandchildren: Stephen Kent IV (Jennifer); Kate Ward (partner Regina); Lindsay, Drew, Ben and Dylan (Jennifer) Price; and Blanche Murphy. She was also blessed with seven great-grandchildren: Garland and Sophie Kent; Antonio, Ian, and Zora Ward; and Lilly and Henry Price.

After Little Rock, Blanche and Elbert lived in Memphis, followed by Alexandria, Louisiana, and while there, Blanche attended Louisiana College, graduating cum laude. The family moved to Lake Charles, Louisiana, where Blanche taught American History at LaGrange Senior High School. She was beloved by her students, who dedicated the 1967 yearbook to her. She also was the faculty sponsor for the Student Council. After leaving teaching, Blanche worked at the Louisiana Employment Office, where she met her second husband, Bill Sullivan, who predeceased her. They moved to Little Rock in the mid-nineties. In Alexandria, Blanche was a member of the Junior League and the Presbyterian Women's Organization. In Little Rock, she and all her daughters and two granddaughters, Kate Ward and Blanche Murphy, and one great-granddaughter, Zora Ward, belong to the Little Rock-Centennial Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution.

Besides being an avid reader, Blanche had numerous other hobbies and skills. Her cooking and baking could have kept a line going outside any home-cooking eatery in the South. Family members fondly remember her Swiss Steak, Spare Ribs, Pork Chops with Sauerkraut, homemade bread, Coconut Cake, Mince Pie, Chocolate Chip Cookies, I could go on and on. Blanche also could have made a living as a seamstress had the need arisen, and sewed many of the clothes the young family wore. She even sewed a sail for a sailing surfboard built by Elbert.

She took up quilting with daughter Kathryn in Little Rock, where they belonged to the Quest Quilters Guild. Blanche gifted many family members with lovely quilts.

Blanche was an avid bridge player and loved hosting the games. In her years in Little Rock, she especially enjoyed Mah Jongg. Those who knew her best would say that her favorite pastime, after reading, was conversation. A woman with a wealth of knowledge, a gift of reason and understanding, and a sharp, lively wit, she could help a listener find a “Eureka” moment through her ability to provide cogent explanations and, frequently, stunningly apt analogies. Family, friends, students, co-workers turned to her for her calm, reasoned advice. She will be missed.

We're sure that Mother's Kentucky ancestors and Saint Peter have met her at the gates with a bourbon and Coke.

Mrs. Sullivan was a lifelong Presbyterian, and a member of Second Presbyterian Church in Little Rock. Family and friends will hold a memorial service in The Prayer Garden at Second Presbyterian Church, 600 Pleasant Valley Drive, Little Rock, AR at 11 AM, Friday, February 14, 2025. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to any charity supporting those in need, of your choice.

Arrangements entrusted to Smith Little Rock Funeral Home.