October 2, 2026
MARIETTA, Ga. — Dr. Nelson Lynn Price, age 94, went home to be with the Lord on August 30, 2025. He is survived by his wife of 70 years, whom he affectionately always called “Miss Trudy.” He leaves behind Lynn Hill, wife of Roger Hill, and Sharon Turner, wife of Randy Turner. Dr. Price is survived by four grandchildren, John Turner (Mary Kathryn), Beth McDaniel (Bradley), Ellen Strife (Jeremy), and Katie Meriwether (Jason), and seven great-grandchildren: Henry Turner, Mary Price, Bo, Evan, and Will McDaniel, as well as Maya and John Meriwether.
Southern Baptists have known him as one of their most notable pastors who took a neighborhood church and grew it into a mighty fortress for truth and compassion, and one of the first and most dynamic mega churches in America, with an attendance that often filled the church’s 4,000-seat worship center.
On Dr. Price’s 90th birthday, Vinings Bank in Smyrna hosted a luncheon for him. The Christian Index was present for the occasion and reported, “His vision, leadership, and rhetorical ability as a preacher of the Gospel have marked him as an exceptional and exemplary pastor.
“Those who have heard him preach or read his books or the commentaries on his website or in the Marietta Daily Journal would have to conclude that he was a wordsmith with a vast vocabulary. Amazingly, he had the ability to speak the King's English with the kind of rich mellifluence and commanding eloquence sufficient to reduce a throng of thousands into a hushed silence.”
The renowned preacher from Osyka, Mississippi, had a great sense of humor and could mesmerize his audience with some fascinating stories about his childhood and youth.
In athletics, Dr. Price was awarded varsity letters in basketball and track from his alma mater, Southeastern Louisiana University, culminating in being named to the National Fellowship of Christian Athletes Hall of Champions. He was also the chairman of the National Board of Trustees for that ministry for six years and was awarded the honor of “lifetime trustee”.
In academia, Roswell Street Baptist Church’s Pastor Emeritus was a 1953 graduate of Southeastern Louisiana and a master’s graduate of New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and was awarded honorary doctoral degrees from Mercer University and Hannibal-LaGrange College. He was also a trustee at Louisiana College and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, where the school has honored the Marietta pastor with the Nelson Price Academic Chair of Leadership.
In denominational life, Dr. Price was First Vice President of the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC), President of the SBC Pastor’s Conference, President of the Georgia Baptist Convention, member of the Home Mission Board (now NAMB), The Christian Index Board, member and chairman of the Shorter University Board of Trustees and a trustee of the Georgia Baptist Homes, Inc.
In composition, Dr. Price is the author of 21 books and wrote a column for the Marietta Daily Journal for almost 60 years, and according to a recent article in the publication, he was never late in submitting his commentary.
In oration, Cobb County’s most heralded preacher for many years had speaking engagements that are practically unparalleled. He preached the inaugural message for Gov. Joe Frank Harris as well as the inaugural message before President Jimmy Carter, his Cabinet, and Staff on the morning of the inauguration. He also addressed many state and national civic clubs’ conventions, addressed approximately 100,000 students each year for 25 years, and spoke to 12 NFL, 8 NBA, and numerous college athletic teams.
In media communications, he led in the creation of Come Alive, a television and radio ministry of Roswell Street Baptist Church, and established a Christian Radio Station, WFTD 1080 AM.
In community service, Dr. Price’s signature has been etched on so many noble causes in greater Marietta and Cobb County that he became the recipient of the Liberty Bell Award presented by the Cobb Bar Association. He was awarded the “Citizen of the Year” award by the Marietta Daily Journal. The Marietta Chamber of Commerce also designated him as “Citizen of the Year”. Georgia Trend Magazine selected him as one of Georgia’s 100 most influential people. He was also the recipient of the Cobb County “Public Service Award” presented by the Cobb County Chamber of Commerce.
The Celebration of Life will be at Roswell Street Baptist Church in Marietta, Thursday, September 4, 2025, at 2:00 pm. The family will receive visitors at the church from 12:30 to 2:00 pm.
In lieu of flower,s the family requests donations be made to MUST Ministries, PO Box 1717, Marietta, GA, 30061, or the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, 3939 Gentilly Blvd, New Orleans, LA.
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