WILLIAMSBURG — Ethel Mae Wright, 94, affectionately known as “Bud,” was born Dec. 5, 1926, the second child of the late Ophelia and Virginia Richards in Halifax, North Carolina. She departed this life for her heavenly home Sunday, May 2, 2021, at Piedmont Henry Hospital, Stockbridge, Georgia.
Born and reared in Weldon, North Carolina, Ethel united with Christ at the First Baptist Church of Weldon, North Carolina. Her journey with the Lord continued at Mount Gilead Baptist Church in Williamsburg, where she served on the Gospel and Morgan Inspirational choirs.
Her legacy is not defined by her time at Hampton Institute, or her employment with Colonial Williamsburg, or her service to the community, or her passion for social justice and civil rights, but by her 64 years of marriage to Harry “Mutt” Wright Sr. and the 10 children she absolutely adored. Good, bad, or ugly, she was there for parent-teacher conferences, sporting events, band concerts, weddings and a few things we won’t mention. She loved her children, and we loved our mom. She told us to read, share our crayons, don’t bite, wash your hands, and to ride your bike with the traffic and to walk against the traffic. She wanted us to be obedient and safe.
Most of all, she showed us what strength, generosity, service, love, friendship, resilience, patience and faith looked like. She stood steadfast in her faith and demonstrated the fortitude to carry on despite the circumstances. She taught us to support one another, to be the head and not the tail, and to live strong. Bud walked in faith and not by sight; she was confident in her journey and helped us to understand she lived a regretless life, which overstated her trust in the Lord and willfulness to be absent from the body and present with the Lord.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Harry Bowman Wright Sr.; three sons, Carl Wright, Harry B. Wright Jr. and Wilbert E. Wright; and sister, Lilian Lane.
Ethel and her husband Harry’s great legacy of love will forever be cherished by her sons and daughters, Elsie Wright, Douglas Wright (Joyce), Milton Wright (Kim), Rita Wright-King (Kenneth), Robert Wright, David Wright (Christine) and Wanda Wright; grandchildren, Andre Thornton, Sherell Lewis, Richard Wright (Angel), Joel Wright (Rebecca), Brian Wright, Tanisha Redcross, Jasen Wright (Katie), Wilbert Wright Jr., Robert Wright Jr., Shari Wright (Mike), LaDonna Wright, Sean Johnson, Myrita Wright, Sierra Wright, Douglas Wright Jr., Jessica Waple (Aaron), Aurielle Allen (Russell), Donya Wright, Anthony Green Jr., Cameron King, Michelle Taylor, Sydney Wright and David Wright Jr.; great-grandchildren, DeAngelo Scales, DeVonte Wright, Kierra Underdo, Aaliyah Wright, Devan Wright, Carldain Wallace, Carleigha Wallace, Joel Wright Jr., Nazier Cowles, Carldejah Wallace, Cashealah White, Mia Williams, Neveah Erskins, Nailah Opie, Queen Scales, Asia Wright, Achazia Allen, Dakota Wright, Zion Wright, Russell Allen Jr., Sean Johnson Jr., Mila Wright, Nikko Wright, Pharaoh Stackhouse, Roux Mae and Graysen Waple; two sisters, Clementine O. Boone and Virginia D. Garner; and a host of loving nieces, nephews and cousins.
“Her,” Lord said to “her,” well done, good and faithful servant, you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you a ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your Lord. Matthew 25:23
A graveside service will be held at 2 p.m. Monday, May 10, at Mount Gilead Baptist Church Cemetery with the Rev. Valerie Matthews officiating. CDC protocols to include facial coverings and social distance are required. Livestreaming will be available at the beginning of the service. Mrs. Wright may be viewed from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. prior to services at Whiting’s Funeral Home.
Share online condolences with the family at Whiting’s Funeral Home.
