Mary Wright

Mary Elizabeth Phillips Kendall Wright was born in Gilmer, on April 16, 1917, to OJ and Mary Smith Phillips. She passed away on August 9, 2010. Mary was preceded in death by some of her favorite fellers: her baby brother, Otis Phillips Jr.; the husband of her youth, Jimmie W. Kendall; her devoted husband of 54 years, James Dallas Wright; and the delight of her life, grandson, Jimmy Kendall. Mary had many interests " and whatever she turned her hand to, she did well. She loved her church, her family, her home, her community and her gardens. She was a lifelong member of the Church of Christ in Gilmer, the Daughters of the American Revolution, the Gilmer High School Class of 1934, the Bluebonnet Club, the Dahlia Garden Club, other community organizations and a number of bridge and social clubs over the years. She lived for several years in England while Jimmie Kendall served in the United States Air Force. She returned to Gilmer on his death in 1954. She married Jim Wright in 1956. She loved to travel- with Jim or with tours - over the years she has visited most of the United States, as well as Canada, Mexico, England, Ireland, Scotland, France, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Greece, Egypt, the Holy Land and China. Her grandson once created an award-winning school project using postcards she had sent him from around the world. Back home in Gilmer, she loved nothing more than to be active in her church, work in her gardens, solve crossword puzzles (trading hints over the phone with friends), attend endless committee meetings, play bridge, watch the Yamboree parade, have her family to visit, and see her name in the Gilmer Mirror. She is survived by her son, Greg Kendall and his wife Frances; and her daughter, Nancy Campbell and her husband Tom. She was "Mamie" and "Honey" to her grandchildren, Christy Campbell, Amy Campbell Pawlak and her husband Chris, Casey Kendall Butler and her husband Mike, and Amanda Kendall. Her great-grandchildren are Lora, Stephanie, Brianna, Carley, Campbell, Eric, Steven, Christian and Michaela. She is also mourned by her brother, Dr. Hugh Phillips and his wife Josephine, as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Her "adopted" families of the last years include Melba and Willie Moore of Gilmer, and Daisy and Carl Cox of Big Sandy. The family is grateful to the Moores, the Coxes, Kinsman Home Health and to Beacon Hospice for their tender loving care. A funeral service will be held at the Gilmer Church of Christ, 612 Buffalo St., on August 12, 2010, at 2 p.m. with Jeff Procter officiating. The family invites visitors between 5-7 p.m., today, August 11, 2010, to Croley Funeral Home, 305 W. Harrison St., Gilmer. Burial will be in the Gilmer City Cemetery. We mourn her passing- we rejoice in her release- we are deeply grateful to have been a part of her life, and we know she's gone to find those fellers who left her behind.