Dorothy Wright

Little Rock, AR - Dorothy Dale Coles Riley Wright, 87, of Chenal Heights Nursing and Rehab, Little Rock, AR, formerly of Powathan Ave, Bluefield, went to be with her Lord and Savior on May 17, 2009, after an extended illness. She was born May 6, 1922 in Graham, Virginia, and was the daughter of the late Ernest C. Coles and Dales Atkins Coles she lived most of her life in Bluefield, West Virginia where she was an active member of Bland Street United Methodist Church. She graduated from Bluefield High School in 1939, and from Concord College three years later, magna cum laude, in math, English and social studies and at the head of her class. She was a former member of Fincastle Country Club before moving to North Carolina. She was a Passionate Garden Club member and Master and Director of Duplicate Bridge She was married to William Henry Riley, Jr. for over 40 years, until his death. She was married to John Marshall Wright for 21 years until his death. She is survived by one daughter, Dale Elizabeth "Deedee" Riley Ward Kiger, currently of Little Rock, AR; two stepdaughters, Karen Wright Gage Woody of Charleston, WV and Beth Wright Meeker of Virginia Beach, Virginia, and one stepson, John Marshall Wright, Jr. of Rockwall, Texas; two grandchildren, Dr. Wendy L. Ward-Begnoche of Little Rock, AR, and Brian Douglas Ward of Kernersville, NC; eight step grandchildren, Charles Q. Gage of Columbus, Ohio, Katherine Gage Crites of Atlanta, GA, Geoffrey M. Gage of Charleston, WV, John, Christopher and Jennifer Meeker of South Charleston, Zachery Wright of Los Angeles, CA and Blake Wright of Rockwall, Texas; and twelve great-grandchildren. Funeral Services will be conducted at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 23, 2009, at Bland Street United Methodist Church with the Rev. David Hall officiating. The family will receive friends in the church parlor from 1:00 p.m. until service time. Burial will be in Monte Vista Park Cemetery in Green Valley following the service. Pallbearers will be Walter Sowers, Michael T. Wood, Rick Anderson, Brian Ward, Dalton Ward & Normand Begnoche. The family suggests that, in lieu of flowers, memorial donations be made to Bland Street United Methodist Church, 2620 Bland Road, Bluefield, WV 24701 or Hospice Home Care, 2200 S. Bowman Rd., Little Rock, AR 72211. Those wishing to share memories or condolence messages with the family may do so by visiting www.MercerFuneralHome.com Mercer Funeral Home & Crematory of Bluefield is serving the family of Dorothy Wright.

Dorothy Wright

May 6, 1922 - May 17, 2009