Martha Wright

(From Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home)

Martha Stanley Wright, 78, passed away peacefully with family by her side on Friday, November 18, 2022. 

Martha will be remembered for her bright smile, delightful giggle, and warm heart that brought joy to all who knew her. Adored by all, she gave supportive and encouraging advice and had an incredibly positive outlook on life and living. 

She was a natural conversationalist who was genuinely interested in those in her presence, even in her most difficult times. She was a sports fan and loved cheering on her favorite players (mostly family) and teams (mostly the Missouri Tigers and the Kansas City Chiefs). 

Martha exuded holiday spirit. She loved Colorado summers, baking pies for holidays, and her favorite color was red. Martha was blessed with many close friends who supported each other in their later years. She was a businesswoman and volunteer, but above all Martha was a devoted wife and loving mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend.

Born December 12, 1943 to Daniel Logan Stanley II and Mary Kuhn Stanley Murray in Joplin, Martha graduated from Joplin High School in 1961, attended Stephens College, and graduated from the University of Missouri, where she was a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma Sorority. She taught elementary school in Kansas City and Joplin, until marrying her late husband of nearly 53 years, M. Lloyd Wright of Springfield, MO. The Wright family moved to Springfield in 1976. 

Martha founded Gracious Occasions, Inc. in 1981, teaching social and business etiquette. She was a wedding and event coordinator for many, many years. The last stint of her career was spent teaching tweens and teens social etiquette and providing ballroom dance instruction, by owning and operating Springfield Cotillion. She was an active member of Christ Episcopal Church, the Junior League of Springfield, P.E.O. Chapter E.S., and the Kappa Kappa Gamma Golden Key Scholarship Fund.

Martha was preceded in death by her husband, M. Lloyd Wright, parents Dan and Mary Stanley, and other family members: Barbara Toombs Wright, Ann Baldwin Hinton, Robert and Valerie Toombs, Anthony R. Kassab, and Anne Kassab Olive.

She is survived by her daughters Mary Belle Wright, Kansas City, and Rebecca Wright Medler (Andrew), St. Louis; grandchildren Townes Broderick, Annabelle Medler, Charlotte Medler; sister Maridan Stanley Kassab, brother Dan Stanley (Melanie), Joplin; sister-in-law Susan Wright Salsitz (Bob), Richmond, VA, sister-in-law Jenny Baldwin; Aunt Jeanne Toombs, cousin Sara Toombs Krutsinger; nieces and nephews Joy K. Lowe (Mike), Lil K. Olive (Paul), Betsy K. Taylor (Erick), Marty K. Chaney (Jim), Julie Salsitz Davi (Mike), Ethan Salsitz (Laura Lee), Barbara Eby (Kyle), William Twyinstra (Cary), Matthew Stanley, Ryan Stanley (Amanda), Logan Stanley (Emily), Adam Stanley (Lucie) and their extended families.

A dear soul who made our lives brighter and happier, “Mom, Aunt Martha, Grandmommy, Mart, Murph, Ms. Wright” will be sorely missed. A celebration of Martha’s life will be held December 8, 2022 at 2:00 PM at Christ Episcopal Church, 601 East Walnut, Springfield, MO 65806. In lieu flowers, the family requests a charitable contribution to Christ Episcopal Church, the John Austin Cheley Foundation, or the Kappa Kappa Gamma Golden Key Scholarship Fund in care of Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home, Inc. 1947 East Seminole, Springfield, MO 65804.