Barbara “Bebe” Price Gholston died at home in Oak Harbor, WA, on April 2, 2016, following a
courageous 5 1/2-year battle with ovarian cancer. Her husband Dick Gholston, a loving and devoted
caretaker, was by her side. She was 69.
The firstborn child of Robert Calvin Price and Joyce Davis Price, Bebe was born on August 23, 1946 in
Tampa, FL. Her brother Bobby was born next and their childhood was filled with music and classmates
as their dad was a popular high school band director. Bebe learned to skillfully play the flute and
energetically competed for “first chair” throughout high school. This love of music gifted her with
delight and comfort her entire life.
After graduating from high school Bebe attended Florida State University in Tallahassee for two years.
Unable to identify a preferred degree, she returned to Tampa and was hired as a receptionist for WTVT.
She enjoyed working with the public and found the news business exciting. She even experienced short
notoriety when her dainty hands were filmed for a commercial.
In 1968 Bebe joined the Delta Air Lines team and began her employment first by working in the
reservations department then at the ticket counter where she served the needs of Delta travelers. Soon
her natural marketing skills surfaced and she spent the majority of her career heading teams that
developed pricing strategies and programs to improve passenger experiences. She enjoyed a successful
32-year career with Delta, fulfilling her goal to be a career-oriented woman.
In 1976 Bebe met Dick Gholston, a Delta Air Lines co-worker. While neither was looking for a
relationship she was drawn to his good looks and intelligence. Dick says he was thunderstruck by her
happiness, strength and humor. They married in Tampa on September 16, 1978, and never took for
granted the great gift of love they shared during their 37-year marriage.
In 1996, while recovering from an aneurysm, Bebe learned about Stephen Ministries and welcomed a
trained volunteer into her life who provided support and one-on-one supplemental pastoral care. Once
she recovered Bebe trained to become a Stephen Minister and eventually managed the training of
volunteers from various churches in a five-county region near their home in Peachtree City, GA.
After falling in love with the Northwest following regular visits to Whidbey Island, where her cousin
Bert Speir and his wife Mary Ann reside, Bebe and Dick moved from their home in Peachtree City, GA
to Oak Harbor, WA in 2004. They had both retired from Delta Air Lines and become CitruSolution
franchise owners. This cleaning business, along with their deep involvement as members of Whidbey
Presbyterian Church, enabled them to immediately feel at home and strongly connected to island
residents.
Bebe profoundly loved dogs and over the years shared her heart and soul with Bingo, Dusty, Tag,
Maggie, Penny and Ally. Whenever you saw Bebe in her car, you saw her beloved companions. She
also loved mani/pedi days, playing her flute and singing in the choir during worship services, reading
Cooks Country magazine, collecting kitchen gadgets, eating fresh crab, serving as a Presbyterian
Church (USA) Ruling Elder, and gazing at the harbor while drinking an iced soy Americano with
family and friends, skillfully prepared by the attentive baristas at the new Pioneer Way Whidbey Coffee
in Oak Harbor.
Bebe is survived by her husband Richard Lee Gholston; brother Robert Price and wife Cindy; cousin
Ret. Navy Capt. Bert Speir and wife Mary Ann; stepson Solomon Gholston, wife Angie, and their
daughters Ashley, Alyssa and Alex; stepson Mathew Gholston and his children Taylor, Tim, Max, Obi,
and Finnegan; two great grandchildren; and members of her Life Group at Whidbey Presbyterian
Church with whom she generously shared her joys and sorrows, laughter, abiding friendship, sound
advice, and fierce love of life.
Special thanks are extended to all who provided cancer treatment services at WhidbeyHealth Medical
Center as well as the loving and professional assistance of various hospice nurses.
While friends and family are presently feeling heartbroken, they also talk about blessed memories of
life experienced with Bebe and the belief she lives on in perfect health. Encouraged by the promises of
faith, they are comforted knowing she is now in the arms of the loving LORD and will greet each
person when they are called to heaven.
Memorial contributions can be made to the Music Fund at Whidbey Presbyterian Church, 1148 SE 8th
Ave., Oak Harbor, WA 98277.
A celebration of Bebe's life was held at Whidbey Presbyterian Church on April 8, 2016. Family and
friends are encouraged to share memories and condolences at www.whidbeymemorial.com

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