Roy Gene Wright

The morning of Friday, September 03,2021 the world lost Roy Gene Wright at the age of 76. Roy was a wonderful son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather.

Born in Birchwood, Tennessee on March 27,1945 Roy was the eldest of five children. Having been raised on a small family farm, an extraordinary work ethic and a deep value of family and education were the core of everything he stood for.

Roy devoted 20 years of his life to the greatest military in the world, having enlisted in the United States Navy at the ripe age of 18. After a lengthy Naval career as an Aviation Electrician, Roy retired as a prior Vietnam Veteran as well as a pilot and mechanic in 1982.

Succeeding his Naval career, Roy furthered his education earning his bachelor's degree graduating Cum Laude in May 1988 at Norfolk State University. Fueling his passion for education, Roy then went on to obtain his teaching credentials and pursued his final career as an educator.

Roy taught full time at Bethel High School in North Carolina as well as Sequatchie and Redbank High School in Tennessee also serving as a substitute and full time teacher at a handful of other educational facilities in Norfolk, Virginia. He taught a wide range of vocational subjects to include; Computer Technology, Key Board Typing, Home Economics and Career Classes. Further promoting his love for education, Roy spent countless hours outside of the classroom coaching both baseball, softball and basketball.

Ensuing the end of his teaching career, Roy always found craftful and handy ways to keep busy. A farmer at heart, he had many hobbies including sewing, woodworking, quilting, cooking, baking, gardening etc. His greatest passion being his love for animals. Roy cared for his goats, guineas, peacocks, chickens, and cats - never failing to show his true love for animals. Visiting Roy sometimes felt as though you were in a different world filled with animals, blueberry and blackberry bushes, as well as his peach, pecan, and apple trees.

Known anywhere as a friend to all, Roy was always kind and amiable to everyone he came across. Taking great pride in his family, Roy thoroughly enjoyed spending time with each and every member, especially enjoying being a Granddaddy. Roy had a vivacious personality with a heart full of love and understanding. He was an honest man, never afraid to hold back his opinion. Roy gave the best advice and helped those in need as best he could. Most of all he loved his family and instilled in his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren strong values that will serve them throughout their lives. Roy will be dearly missed and forever in our hearts.

Roy was preceded in death by his parents Lora Evelyn Wright and William Howard Wright and by his brother Glen Wright. He will be woefully survived by his siblings Patricia Prentice, Arron Wright and Shep Wright; his wife of 52 years, Vilma Abriol Wright; his children Debra Jeanne Graham (Troy Graham), Lora Marie Lanning (Virgil Lanning), and Christopher John Wright; his nine grandchildren Roy Gene Wright II (Kassey Wright), Logan Abriol Kesel, Sydney Vi Williams (Jacob Williams), Abby Shay Graham, Patricia Vilma Graham, Samantha Lee Graham, Alexis Lolita Graham, Clarita Ida Elizabeth Graham, and Sophia Isabella Angelina Graham and seven great-grandchildren: Jordan Elise Bevins, Isabella Grace Bevins, Zosima Marie Bevins, Landon Michael-Ezra Newman, Genesis Anne-Marie Wright, Aslan Nicole Wright and Hazel Darby Hale.

A graveside celebration of life will take place at 4pm on Saturday September 25, 2021 at McInturff Cemetery. You are invited to share a personal memory of Roy or your condolences with his family at his online memorial located at www.companionfunerals.com. Companion Funeral & Cremation Service and the Cody family are honored to assist the Wright family with these arrangements.