Mary Ancrum Wright

Mary “Pearl” Ancrum Wright, born on July 22, 1933 in the Moberry Community in Ravenel, South Carolina entered into eternal rest June 20, 2020. Mary, as she was called by friends and Pearl as she was called by relatives was the wife of CMSgt (Ret) Edward J. Wright, USAF for sixty five wonderful years. Mary was a determined learner. In the 1940’s, Ravenel did not have a high school, despite this she was determined to receive her high school diploma so she attended Burke High School in Charleston. She continued her education and received credentials from Roper Hospital Nursing School as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), which was a major accomplishment for a person of color during the early 1950s and a role model for the Ravenel community. Mary was dedicated to her family and especially her husband Edward, who she called Wright. She traveled with him to the many military bases supporting him throughout his exceptional military career. She embraced the military way of life and broke cultural and racial barriers through her service as a Family Service volunteer and being very active in the Protestant Women of the Chapel. Mary was very creative and was always learning how to do something new. She was a seamstress, fashionista, and exceptional cook. She was a serious hat collector and you would rarely see her without one of her signature hats. Mary was also known as the “cake lady”. She made delicious holiday cakes, but her most requested was her signature sour cream pound cake. Mary accepted Jesus’ salvation at an early age; that acceptance has propelled her life of Christian service. She is a lifelong member of Mt. Olivet Reformed Episcopal Church. She has served in many capacities – Usher, Sunday School Teacher, Vacation Bible School, Missionary, Youth Auxiliary, Women of the Church, Pulpit Aid Board and Vestry. Upon returning to Charleston, South Carolina after Edward’s military retirement in 1976, Mary leaped into service at Mt. Olivet. She initiated a formal group for the Women of the Church (WOC). She shared that zeal with the women’s ministry in the Diocese of the Southeast and National Reformed Episcopal Church. Throughout the decades, Sister Wright has initiated and led our multi-generational WOC to many new levels – she implemented Women’s Day, educational seminars, student tutoring during the summer, The Pink and White Tea (Annual Tea), provided stipends for college students which evolved into the Edward J. and Mary A. Wright Scholarship). She was a driving force with establishing the church parsonage, fundraising for the Church’s Building Fund, establishing the first Beginner’s Sunday School class, and chairperson of the Church Anniversary for more than fifteen years. Mary peacefully transitioned into her eternal season of life on Saturday, June 20, (her late father Alonzo’s birthday). Our family will be forever grateful for God’s faithfulness and provisions throughout her life. During the 86 years and 11 months that we were graced with her presence, God transformed her into an “elect” lady that the Apostle John speaks of in the Second Epistle of John: “To the elect lady and her children, whom I love in truth, and not only I, but also all those who have known the truth, because of the truth which abides in us and will be with us forever.” Mary was truly an “elected” lady with elegance that shined for so many others. She and Edward lived an extraordinary life together! She was preceded in death by her mother, Elizabeth Reid Ancrum and father, Alonzo Ancrum, her brothers Frank and Mike Ancrum, and grandson Edward J. Wright III. Mary was our matriarch whose memories will be lovingly cherished by Edward J. Wright, her beloved husband, and best friend of sixty five years, nine months and twelve days; daughters Wanda Wright-Sheats, (Charleston, SC); Col (Ret) Sharon B. Wright, USAF (Woodbridge, VA); Mary Ann Wright (Charleston, SC); and stepson, Col (Ret)Edward J. Wright, Jr., USAF (San Antonio, TX). Also left to honor her memory are four grandchildren: Erica (Devon) Dixon (Houston, TX); Nigel J. Sheats (Charleston, SC); Nina Sheats (Morrell) Carroll (Winnabow, NC); and “WES” Capt. William E. Sheats, II (US Air Force) Colorado Springs, CO; along with four great grandchildren: Taylor Simone, Olivia Nicole and Caleb Edward Dixon (Houston, TX) and Autumn Rose Carroll (Winnabow, NC). Surviving siblings include Mr. Samuel Ancrum; Mrs. Helen Wrighten; and one sister-in-law, Rosa Lee Ancrum (Ravenel, SC); aunts Hannah (Joe) Blake; Helen (Blease) Burno; and one uncle, Sam (Mae) Ancrum along with many special nieces and nephews, and a host of other relatives, the Mt. Olivet Church family, and life-long friends: Mrs. Anne Robinson (Chillicothe OH), Mrs. Ann Lewis (Savannah, GA), CSM Tony and Mrs. Jeri Salter (Jacksonville, FL), Mrs, Elease James (Sumter, SC), and Mrs. Ethel Hughes (Mount Pleasant, SC). Though missed by all, Mary, “Pearl” has earned her wings and the gift of her love will never be forgotten! Please join us in celebrating her life with a public walk through viewing at Mt. Olivet RE Church at 4283 Savannah Highway, Ravenel, SC on Thursday, June 25, 2020, between 6:00-8:00pm. A private funeral will be held on Friday, June 26, 2020, at 11:00am. In lieu of flowers the family request that you make donations to the Edward J. and Mary A. Wright Scholarship Fund. PO Box 161, Ravenel, SC 29470. emwrightscholarship@gmail.com

Mary Ancrum Wright

July 22, 1933 - June 20, 2020