Terrisina “Terri” Roberta (Smith) Wright was born December 10, 1970 and raised in Boston, MA, one of identical twins. She and her family moved to the Brockton area in 1995. She met her husband Derrick Wright and they married in 1997. She and her husband resided in the Brockton area until moving to Taunton, MA in 2017. Terri graduated Boston Latin School in the top of her class, and then graduated Bentley College with a Bachelor of Science in Business Management. She started her career in financial services, but later transitioned to the medical field where she served at Brockton Hospital in the pain clinic and the emergency department. Most recently, she worked as a pharmacy technician at Boston Medical Center.
Terri gave her life to Jesus Christ and was baptized at age 18. Since then, she spent her life with a deep abiding faith and service to God, using her spiritual gifts and talents touching the lives of so many. Morning Star Baptist Church was her spiritual church family for over 30 years. There she served in the choir, the nurse’s auxiliary, and most recently, the married couple’s fellowship. Terri was passionate about God. She loved gospel music, singing, dancing and playing tambourines and maracas to gospel songs. She was also a movie buff and loved to give information and instruction on hair care. Family and loved ones were always very important to Terri. She always initiated getting everyone together. Every single day she would contact us all with a blessing saying, “God bless you all richly”, or “God bless you all abundantly.” She was persevering, dutiful, selfless. She was our hero, a trooper and a pioneer. She was our nurse, caretaker and protector, always reminding us to take our meds properly, be careful of this or that, and asking how we were doing. She was an encourager sending inspirational songs or scriptures and reminding us “remember, bible study at 7pm.” She made a difference wherever she went, bringing the Spirit of God with her.
Terri had a tenacity for life. God kept her these 49 years by His grace. She was the bravest and strongest person we know, balancing 25 years on dialysis, while maintaining work, education, marriage, spiritual service, and time for family and friends. She was our joy with the greatest smile ever and our beauty, being a gorgeous person inside and outside, her presence lit up the room. She would always say ”Praise God” and was grateful for all his blessings. She was a Royal Woman. Terri’s legacy and example will forever be our inspiration.
The Lord took Terri home on August 5, 2020. Terri is pre-deceased by her father Terry Smith and brother Julian Smith. She is survived by her mother, Mae Smith, her husband Derrick Wright, her sisters Valerie Smith and Kerri (Smith) Calhoun, her niece Mekenzie Berry, her aunt Bennie Blakely, uncles Ellis Carter, Alex Carter (wife Pat), Joe Carter, Lester Carter and many other relatives and friends.
A few scriptures come to mind when thinking of Terri and her journey:
Psalm 106 Praise the Lord. Give thanks for the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.
Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, and self-control.
Philippians 4:13 I can do everything through him who gives me strength.
James 1:12 Blessed is the woman who perseveres under trial, because when she has stood the test, she will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.
Luke 1:47 My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.
Visiting hours will be held in the Conley Funeral Home, 138 Belmont St. (Rte 123), Brockton on Friday, August 14, 2020, 9-10am with a funeral service at 10am. Burial will follow in Oaklawn Cemetery, Boston.
In following COVID guidelines, masks must be worn and social distancing observed.