Joe Wright, 77, of Ocilla died Sunday, April 25, 2010, at his residence.
Funeral services will be held 11 AM Tuesday, April 27, 2010, at Frank Primitive Baptist Church in Irwin County with Elder Ed McIntyre officiating. Interment will follow in Frank Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 7 until 9 Monday night at the funeral home in Ocilla.
Mr. Wright was born July 27, 1932, in Carroll County, Georgia to the late G.B.“Bud” and Josie Smith Wright. Mr. Wright attended Ocilla High School and served in the U.S. Air Force for four years during the Korean War. He lived in the community most of his life. Mr. Wright was Chief of Police in Ocilla in 1962. Joe was a salesman and for most of his career, sold cars at Fitzgerald Ford Lincoln Mercury, Irwin County Motors, Wright Motors, Whidden Cadillac, and Ocilla Truck and Implement. He was very devoted to his family and was an example of how others should always put their family first. He loved his faithful dog, Walker. Mr. Wright was known in the community for preparing and serving breakfast at his home on Sunday mornings for many years. He was a member of Frank Primitive Baptist Church.
Mr. Wright is survived by his wife of 58 years: Shirley Wright of Ocilla; children and their spouses: Diane Wright of Ocilla, Sue & Ronny Posey, and Bonnie Simpson, all of Fitzgerald, Robert & Chris Wright, Joey & Lenya Wright and Mona Paulk, all of Ocilla; 19 Grandchildren; 9 Great-grandchildren; and two sisters: Betty Hayes Jackson of Ocilla and Martha Griffin of Nashville. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by four brothers: Talmadge Wright, Dirl Wright, Elbert Wright, and Lloyd Wright and one sister: Barbara Carver.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to the Blue-Gray Community Hospice, P.O. Box 1447, Fitzgerald, Georgia 31750.