Miss Charlsie Hulon Wright

Miss Charlsie Hulon Wright, 78, passed away on August 8, 2019 at Sanctuary Hospice House in Tupelo. Miss Charlsie was born on April 28, 1941, in Clay County, the daughter of the late Charles Carey and Wilma Laurene Johnson Wright. The first 18 years of her life were the happiest. They were surrounded by the most loving, caring and hard working mother and daddy any child could dream of and three sisters: Cora, Doni, and Judy. They had lots of differences, but they loved each other "slap-to-death" and would fight for each other. Their lives revolved around Montpelier School activities and Pine Bluff Baptist Church. They never missed a Sunday or Wednesday. They cleaned the church, mowed the grass and help clean off family graves in the cemetery. Charlsie played the church piano from the time she was 12 until she started Mississippi College, but would play when she came home almost every week. Charlsie was a graduate of Monteplier High School where she was the Valedictorian, Miss Clay High School, Best Girls Athlete in Basketball, Miss Future Farmers of America Sweetheart, and performed in a classical piano concert. She then began Mississippi College and graduated in June 1962 with a major in Home Economics and a minor in Physical Education. During her 3 years in undergraduate school, she worked in the library when she was not in class. She graduated as the "Most Outstanding" Home Economics student. She, then, attended Graduate School at Mississippi State University for 3 summers. At one time, she held teacher's license in 5 different states including: Mississippi, Florida, Tennessee, Maryland, and Nebraska. Charlsie taught grades 7th, 8th, 9th, and 12th in Daytona Beach, Florida, West Point, Waynesboro, Memphis,Tennessee, Senuna Park, Maryland and Annapolis, Maryland. She also coached 9th grade girls basketball when it was played half-court. In each state that she taught, she was a member of the local, state, and national educational organizations. She then went to work for The State of Alabama Department of Agriculture in Montgomery, as a Seed Analyst, where she retired after 25 years. She also held full-time jobs as the Executive Director of the Chamber of Commerce in Ralston, Nebraska, Office Manager for Davis Contractors and Engineers and Assistant Director of Personnel for the Paragon Press in Montgomery, Alabama. While working full-tme jobs, she always held part-time jobs. She worked in Gayfer's Department Store and was on staff at Frazer United Methodist Church in Montgomery, Alabama, pianist for Silver Beach Avenue Baptist Church in Daytona Beach, Florida, taught teens-on-the-square- in Annapolis, Maryland, and Secretary to Education Director and Sears in Memphis, Tennessee. She was always active in her church wherever she was living at the time: as pianist, in prayer ministry, lay ministry, providing live flowers, and assisting with Vacation Bible School. “The Lord is close to everyone who prays to Him, to all who truly pray to Him.” Psalm 145:18 Healing begins when we do something. Healing begins when we reach out. Healing starts when we take a step. God's help is near and always available, but it is only given to those who seek it. Nothing results from apathy. God honors radical, risk-taking faith. When arks are built, lives are saved. When soldiers march, Jerichos tumble. When staffs are raised, seas still open. When a lunch is shared, thousands are fed. Charlsie's prayer for everyone is that love will flourish and that you will not only love much, but will learn to love appropriately. You need to use your head and test your feelings so that your love is sincere and intelligent, not sentimental gush. Phillipians 1:9-10. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her grandparents: Charles Oliver and Mable Eudora Moore Johnson. Visitation will be Friday from 6:00-8:00 P.M. at Calvert Funeral Home and Saturday from 3:00-4:00 P.M. at Pine Bluff Baptist Church. Funeral services will be Saturday, August 10, 2019, at 4:00 P.M. at Pine Bluff Baptist Church with Mr. Lowell Thompson officiating and assisted by Dr. Tom E. Waller and Reverend H. L. "Butch" Simmons. Burial will follow in Pine Bluff Baptist Church Cemetery. Calvert Funeral Home of West Point is honored to be entrusted with the arrangements. Survivors include three sisters: Cora Dendy (Lamar) of the Pine Bluff Community, Doni Wright Lucius of the Pine Bluff Community, and Judy Gilliland of West Point: three nieces: Christi Dendy Carter (Steve) of Caledonia, Laurie Lucius Stephenson (Chris) of Smithville, and Jill Gilliland Middleton (Carl) of West Point: nephew: Jason Wright Gilliland (Mary Ann) of West Point: six great-nieces: Charlsie "Katy" Allen (Lee) of Amory, Stevi Carter of Starkville, Carleigh Middleton of Starkville, McKenzie Middleton of West Point, Kadence Butler of West Point, and Jacie Gilliand of West Point: three great-nephews: Zack Stephenson (McKenzie) of Fulton, Cole Carter of Starkville and John Carver Middleton of West Point: and two great-great-nephews: Wyatt Stephenson of Fulton and Tyler Lee Allen of Amory. Pallbearers will be Lamar Dendy, Jason Gilliland, Chris Stephenson, Zack Stephenson, Wyatt Stephenson, Lee Allred, Tyler Lee Allen, Carl Middleton, John Carver Middleton, Steve Carter, and Cole Carter. Honorary Pallbearers will be Lee Baugh, Lowell Thompson, Tina Coleman, Tracy Lofton, Pat and Dan Vaughn, Craig Vaughn, Eddie Scott, Butch Simmons, Kelly Gaskin, Bonnie Cousins, Buffy Lester, Jean Randle, Andy Davis, Floyd McKee, Joe Chandler, Dr. Tom Waller, Dr. Edmund Miller, and the Nurses and Staff of Sanctuary Hospice. Memorials may be made to Pine Bluff Baptist Church General Fund, c/o Betty McNeel; 3127 Colony Road, Mantee, MS 39751. Friends may leave an online condolence at www.calvertfuneralhome.com

Miss Charlsie Hulon Wright

April 28, 1941 - August 8, 2019