Karen (Cartwright) Hale

Karen Jean Cartwright-Hale was born July 11, 1940 in Shreveport, LA in

Confederate Memorial Hospital. She was a member of Avenue Baptist Church 

for many years under Pastor L. D. Scott. Karen was an active member in the church 

choir and served in many other functions of the church. She attended Central Jr. High 

from 7th to 8th grade and Booker T. Washington High School in Shreveport, LA from 

the 9th to 12th grade. She was an active member of the school choirs, both at Central Jr. 

High and at her high school. She graduated from high school in May of 1960.  

Following high school, Karen enrolled at Jarvis Christian College in Hawkins, TX where

she was a music major. She was a member of the college’s choruses and pledged Delta Sigma 

Theta Sorority.  She graduated from Jarvis and then went on to become a librarian and teacher. 

In 1962, she was united in matrimony with Willie Price, who also graduated from Jarvis.  To 

this union three sons were born: Walter Price, Kirk Price, and Victor Arnez Price, who 

died a few days after his birth.  

Willie and Karen were both active members of The East Side Church of Christ in Hawkins, TX for 

many years and raised their kids at East Side. Karen started her career working primarily in two 

school districts: McComb, MS and Jefferson, TX (JISD). On Saturdays, she found time to work on

and attain her Master’s Degree.  

 For several years, she found time to work as the librarian for Jarvis and Wiley Colleges. She was 

a strong advocate for Christian education and Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).  

She worked at and financially supported  HBCU’s, especially Jarvis Christian College (Hawkins, TX), 

Wiley College (Marshall, TX), and donated to Southwestern Christian College (Terrell, TX). Later in 

her life, she married Roy Lee Hale and they were married for twenty-four years, until his death in 

October, 2015. Karen went on to work at Wiley College until she retired. 

Some of her main accomplishments were a contract with the Metropolitan Opera House and an 

offer to appear on the Ed Sullivan Show. In 2000, she conducted research for Oscar Winner 

Denzel Washington for the film the Great Debaters, which won an academy award.

   Left to cherish her memory are: Dr. Walter Price of Dallas, TX, Kirk Price of Longview, TX (sons); 

Amanda Crutcher of Los Angeles, CA; Patricia Scott of Atlanta, GA, Valarie Henry of 

Cobb County, GA, (sisters); Jazmine Price, Jamaal Price, Jada Price, George Price 

and Justin Price (grandchildren); George Abdul-Lamar Price, Jr., Aniyah Price, Seyanna 

Michelle Price, Jahlil Price, Lynden Price and Lilyanna Lynee’ Frances Price (great-grandchildren). 

Preceded in death by Mary Amos (great grandmother); Odessa Manson (grandmother); 

Mabel Toliver (mother); Roy Lee Hale (husband); Victor Arnez Price (son); “Little John” Manson 

(brother); Sandra Toliver and Deborah Toliver, both sisters.

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