McMinnville resident and Warren County native Bessie Lee Byars Wright, 88, was born Feb. 8, 1925 and died July 12 at River Park Hospital following a short illness.
Part-owner of Your Tot-To-Teen Shoppe and a member of First Baptist Church, she was the daughter of the late Perry and Vernia Elvira “Ma Byars” Swindell Green. She was married to Robert Murlis Wright, who preceded her in death in November 2004. In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by two brothers, Fred and Pete Byars; and two sisters, Lucille Hennessee and Margie Tarasovich.
She is survived by three children and their spouses, Janet Lynn Robbins of Smyrna, Kenneth Reed and Lisa Wright of Mt. Juliet, and Debbie and Gary George of McMinnville; five grandchildren, Lori Warrick and husband David of Smyrna, Paul Robbins of Smyrna, Briena Harmening of Knoxville, and Jessica Wright and Marcus Wright, both of Mt. Juliet; three great-grandchildren, Janie and Andy Warrick, both of Smyrna, and Jazelle Featherston of Mt. Juliet; sister, Pearl Bess Fultz of Rock Island; and several nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.
Funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday in High’s Chapel with Rev. Bobby Howard and Bro. John May officiating. Burial will follow at Mt. View Cemetery. Visitation will be held Sunday until the time of service at High’s.
Memorials may be made to Amedisys Hospice, First Baptist Church in McMinnville, or do something nice for someone you love.
High Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Southern Standard
(McMinnville, Tenn.) July 14, 2013