Standard-Examiner DeVon Ruth Price Kpeji In her signature style of balance, grace, strength, joy and love of © | - God and family, DeVon Ruth Price Kpeji closed the book of her earthly life after a courageous battle with cancer. She quietly and. . peacefully walked into her eternal home with the Lord, as her sister | -DeAne held her hand in the early morning May 15th, 2009. its _- A native of Layton, Utah she —— was born October 7th, 1957, to Ralph Price Sr and Ruby Jewell Timms Price on her father's birth- day creating a ‘big event celebration’ that would become a family tradition. This shared day created the inseparable bond she would share with her father until his death in 2001, now that bond is. renewed and they are again in each other's light. | _ “An independent, complex and exceptional woman, DeVon was a graduate of the Davis County school system, she attended = " Verdland and Layton Elementary, Central Junior High and Clearfield High Schools. , 4 o@Mevon was preceded in death by her husband Kehendi Kpeji, fa- ther, sister, uncle and grandparents. | _ She is survived by her mother Ruby J. Timms Price; Layton, three sisters Deon Ruth Price, DeAne Ruth Price, Marqueax Price- Black, brother Ralph Price Jr, niece Cheryl A. Price, great nieces _\ She received her Medical Therapist degree from the University of _ Utah in Salt Lake City. This would lead her to work for Baylor and Parkland Hospitals in Dallas, Texas, upon her return to Utah several years later she was then employed by Independent Living Centers of Salt Lake City. Mrs. Kpeji also entered in the banking world after © gaining financial training and securing employment with First Securi- ty*Bank where she worked until the bank was sold. When this occurred DeVon's entrepreneur spirit took flight and she decided it was time to create her own job. She was inspired by her love of fashion and designed and created her own line of clothing and opened "The Exclusive Woman Boutique" on Washington Boulevard in Ogden, Utah. Her fashions were recognized across the country and she traveled to several states to present and sell her fashion line. In 2002 she joined in partnership with her mother Ruby J. Price to Anastasia and.Wednesday Price, great nephew Colin D. Price. A host of extended loving friends who were like family to her and she fothem. , : ee ee | tained her child like fun attitude and character, a beautiful smile and - always something fun was in play with DeVon in the room. | Although she had no birth children of her own her love of kids gave her a host of extended sons, daughters, nieces and nephews knew the love and warmth of her mother like love and attention. As an active adventurer DeVon had traveled to many places with — her fashion business and medical career. She was fluent in several | languages and loved being with diverse groups of people from around the world. We will miss her sense of style and humor, her curiosity for everything, her quick willingness to help anyone in need, her friendship, her love of family and her wonderful enthusiasm for life. ~ >A memorial service celebrating Mrs. Kpeji's life will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday May 26, 2009 at Leavitt's Mortuary 836 36th Street, Ogden. Friends and family may call one hour prior to services at the mortuary. Pastor France Davis officiating. | Interment Lindquist Memorial Gardens of Layton. — | The family would like to express sincere thanks to the staffs of _ the University of Utah Medical Center, Huntsman Cancer Center, Federal Heights Care, Rocky Mountain Care and all the doctors, nurses and those who cared for her during her illness. ea /Accelebration of her life will be held after graveside service at the home of her mother Ruby J. Price 933 W. Gentile Layton, Utah. open Ruby Jewell's Fashions on West Gentile Street in Layton, © Utah. She was planning to open two stores in Texas in 2009. _- Always a loving sister, daughter, aunt and friend DeVon loved children more than any group of people. It was evidenced in her energetic civic leadership for many charities and led her to create and support several of her own. In 2005 the Marines at Hill Air Force, Base had over seven thousand children in Weber and Davis County | who would not have a toy for Christmas. Devon worked tirelessly to put together a Christmas event and collected enough toys it would provide gift to those children for two years. In 2007 she again organized a Toys for Tots fundraiser event to provided Christmas gifts for the 8000 children at risk of not having anything for the holiday. For all who knew her this was not a surprise, she had always re- _ In lieu of flowers please send donations to Mrs. Kpeji's favorite . foundation, The Cultural Awareness Foundation , 545 E. John Car- penter Freeway; Suite #300. Irving, TX 75062. — - Online condolences may be sent to the family at. www.leavittsmortuary.com — : : —