Oletta Evelyn Wright, age 84 of Joplin, passed away at 9:34 p.m. on Wednesday, August 6, 2014 at Medicalodge in Neosho, MO after a battle with Alzheimer’s disease.
Born June 26, 1930 in Verona, MO, she was the daughter of the late Homer Black and Laura Melissa Batesel Black. Having graduated from Aurora High School, she was married to the love of her life, Freddie L. Wright, on August 7, 1948 in Springfield, MO. They lived in Aurora and then moved to Monett, MO where Freddie worked at the Gas Service Company. For 9 ½ of those years, she displayed her love for him, by not only being a wonderful housewife and caring for 4 children, but by being willing to commute 40 miles, one way, to church many times each week. In 1967 they moved to Joplin, when Freddie became the full-time pastor of Southside Baptist Church. She continued as a homemaker and was deeply involved as the pastor’s wife and member of the church. She played the piano and organ, taught Sunday School classes, headed up Vacation Bible Schools and served in many other areas. She also was a foster parent to at least 8 foster children. She loved and served the Lord, the city of Joplin and the people of Southside Baptist Church for over 51 years before they retired from the ministry. She and her love, were considered by most, to be inseparable! She was a loving mother and grandmother and loved by many.
She was married to Rev. Freddie L. Wright for 63 years. He preceded her in death March 24, 2012.
Survivors include a son, David Wright of Joplin; three daughters, Pamela Backerman of Prairie Grove, AR, Esther Lawellin and husband Doug of Joplin, Brenda Richards and husband Robert of Neosho; two sisters, Fonnie McCann and Mary Barrett, both of Aurora, MO; ten grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren and three great-great grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday at Southside Bible Baptist Church with Rev. Don Carden and David Wright officiating. Interment will follow at Ozark Memorial Park Cemetery with Brian Wright, Jimmy Backerman, Daniel Lawellin, Jonathan Wright, Steven Pearish II and John Gomez serving as pallbearers. The family will receive friends at Parker Mortuary from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. Sunday. Memorial contributions may be made to Southside Baptist Mission Fund, Southside Baptist Church Building Fund or the Alzheimer’s Association, in care of the mortuary. Southside Baptist Church is located at 4249 E. 13th St, Joplin, MO 64804.
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