Death cannot silence the memories of two college sweethearts who will forever be remembered as being larger than life.

Former UTM students Jeremy Price and his wife, Jodi Fleming Price, both 27, were killed on April 2 as severe weather, including three tornadoes, swept upper West Tennessee, killing 24 people total and damaging or destroying about 1,000 homes and businesses.

Friends of Jodi and Jeremy remember them as being people that anyone could always count on if they needed anything. UTM alumna Melody Holliday attended college with Jodi and Jeremy, and was in Alpha Phi Omega service fraternity with Jodi.

“She was a sister to me. Jodi never met a stranger. She was friends with everybody,” Holliday said. She said that having Jodi around was always comforting. “Jodi was a very carefree person in the sense that she did not let things bother her,” Holliday said. “She took me under her wing and helped make me the person that I am today.”

UC Director Steve Vantrease has been the adviser for the Alpha Phi Omega Service Fraternity for several years. Jodi was president of Alpha Phi Omega for three years. Vantrease said that Jodi had an amazing way of working with other people.

“Whether we were working together on a service project, social event or just talking about things, Jodi’s wonderful outlook on life and willingness to be with and help others was a joy to experience. She gained respect and trust through her words and actions. If there were a UTM student hall of fame, Jodi would be my nominee,” Vantrease said.

UTM student Josh Davis said he has lost two of his best friends, but he is also quick to remember the positive times that he shared with Jeremy and Jodi. “Jeremy was always hunting and fishing. Anytime he was going out, Jodi was right behind him with a gun or a fishing pole in her hand, too,” Davis said.

Davis recalled a time when he and another friend, John Mullins, were fishing at Garrett Lake. Davis said that he and Mullins had been fishing for quite a while and not caught anything. “Price shows up and catches a five-pound bass on the first cast,” Davis said laughingly.

Davis also told the story of being with Jeremy during a very important moment in Jeremy’s life. “I remember going with him to Paducah to get the engagement ring for Jodi. When we walked in the mall, it was a little cloudy outside. When we came outside there was about six inches of snow on the ground ... It took us forever to get back from Paducah through all the snow,” Davis said.

Holliday and Davis both laughed when asked to talk about how Jodi and Jeremy met. “Their first two dates were canceled,” Holliday said. “The first time, she got the dates mixed up and agreed to go on a date the same time that she had a big test. The second time, Jeremy had to cancel the date because he was running late. I think he was on his way back from fishing.”

Despite some initial scheduling conflicts with their first dates, it was obvious early on that Jeremy and Jodi were meant to be together. “I can remember her telling me that she was going to marry him. She said she didn’t know when or where, but she was going to marry him,” Holliday said.

“They were larger than life. They were full of joy. They had more joy in their life than people probably have in their entire lifetime. You felt like you knew them your whole life,” said UTM alumna April Canada, who worked with both Jeremy and Jodi at Huish Detergents in Dyersburg.

Canada was also quick to mention that Jodi and Jeremy were always there to help others. Canada says that Jodi called one of her co-workers who was extremely scared of storms to see if she was OK, just before the tornado hit. Canada says that Jodi told the co-worker, “Call if you need us.”

Interim Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs David Belote and many friends from UTM attended the services for Jodi and Jeremy. “It was a blessing to witness the family’s strength, character and faith. After having spent some time with the families it was easy to surmise how Jeremy and Jodi came to be who they were. They were able to touch so many in their short time and I have to believe that the lives they lived were of faith and service to others,” Belote said.

Vantrease said that Jodi recently stopped by campus and visited with him. “It was good to see her. I feel so fortunate to have seen and visited with her. Sometimes you don’t get a second chance,” Vantrease said.

The families have requested that any memorial gifts be directed to the Jeremy and Jodi Price Memorial Scholarship Fund, in care of the Somerville First Baptist Church.