Walter Wright, Sr.

Brother Walter (Waldren) Allen Wright, Sr., was born on October 2, 1935 in Crisfield, Maryland to the late Brice and Adv. Sr. Mtr. Bertha Mae Wright.  Early in the morning on Friday, April 15, 2016, Brother Wright peacefully departed this life at his home.

The Supreme Council of The House of Jacob has forever been Brother Walter’s spiritual home.  His membership began at birth.  His parents were missionaries in Philadelphia, PA and Florida, where his father, the former Elder Wright was a driver for the late Father Walter Sherman Israel J. I. S., for whom he was renamed.  Brother Wright also served as assistant pastor to missions in Crisfield, MD and Delmar, DE.

Brother Walter, known affectionately as “Buddy Boy”, received his formal education through the Somerset County Public School system and graduated from Carter G. Woodson High School in 1954.  As education was always important to him, Brother Wright was an avid Bible student.  He even studied his bible school lessons during public school classes.  Brother Wright became a gifted bible school teacher for many years.  He was a perfectionist in reciting and writing the scriptures, as they were written in the Bible.  He held his students to the highest of standards, with every “i” dotted and every “t” crossed.  His constructive criticisms were not always welcomed but always found to be beneficial.

Brother Wright was a strong believer in providing for his family.  He was employed by Princess Anne Shirt Company as a truck driver delivering up and down the east coast including deliveries to the United States Navy in Norfolk, VA.  At the Salisbury Shirt Company, he was a die cut operator.  Brother Walter was last employed by Somerset County Roads Department where he retired after 16 years.

At an early age he met Sister Dorothy Lavania Leatherbury.  Brother Wright was very persistent.  With love in his sights, he married Sister Leatherbury on September 5, 1954.  7 children were born to this union.

Brother Wright’s parents instilled in him a great love for music.  He loved to sing and play the guitar.  His favorite song was “I Thank the Lord for Blessing Me”.  He was a member of the Israelite Wheels (named by Father W.B. Israel S.O.T.), the District Two Choir, and the Young at Heart.  He loved traditional quartet music, especially the Dixie Hummingbirds and The Harmonizing Four.

He leaves to cherish his memory: his loving wife of 61 years, Elderess Dorothy Lavania Wright; seven children, Elderess Rebekah Polk (Elmer Jr.) of Princess Anne, MD, Elderess Angelena Wright-Wright (Franklin) of Princess Anne, MD; Mrs. Regina Meyer (Ed) of Sheboygan, WI; Sister Almettrus Wright-Moore (Gentry) of Princess Anne, MD; Mrs. Judith Birckhead (Everett Sr.) of Baltimore, MD; Miss Darlene Wright of Princess Anne, MD and Brother Walter A. Wright, Jr. of Washington D.C.; 11 grandchildren, Adrian Wright, Cameren Taylor, Crystal Ybanez, Marcus Wright, Heather Wright, R. David Gotiear, Eric Wright, Everett Birckhead, Jr., Ariz Wright, Leah Wright, and Sharae Wright; 12 great-grandchildren; one brother, Presiding Elder Austin Jones of Chance, MD; one stepsister, Ms. Connie Wright of North Carolina; three special godsons, Corporal Jasper Handy, Presiding Elder Walter Sherman Holmes I, and Mr. Brice Shockley (nephew); his devoted canine companion, Dolly; a host of nephews, nieces, other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by; his father, Brice P. Wright and his beloved mother, Advanced Senior Mother Bertha Mae Wright; and one sister, Elderess Vera Wright- Shockley.

A funeral service will be held 11 AM Saturday, April 23, 2016 at The Supreme Council of The House of Jacob, Inc., 13153 Loretto Road, Princess Anne with a viewing one hour prior. A viewing will also be held 6 to 8 pm Friday at Anthony E. Ward, Jr. Funeral Home in Princess Anne. Interment will be in Israel Memorial Cemetery in Princess Anne.