[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 70 (Tuesday, April 25, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E532]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      HONORING WILLIE WRIGHT, SR.

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BENNIE G. THOMPSON

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 25, 2017

  Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the 
legacy of Mr. Willie Wright, Sr.
  Mr. Wright, Sr. was born to the union of George Moses Wright and 
Fannie Cowan Wright. This union was blessed with five beautiful 
children. All of his siblings preceded him in death years ago in New 
York and Alabama, but God saw fit to leave the baby, ``Willie'' in 
Rural Holmes County, Mississippi for eighty-two years.
  As a child, Willie confessed Christ as his personal savior and united 
with the Popular Springs C.M.E. Church. Later, he moved to the Lebanon 
Community and united with the Lebanon Missionary Baptist Church under 
the leadership of Rev. A. Barron.
  During the winter season, Mr. Wright, Sr. married Claudie Mae Ware on 
November 13, 1954. This union was blessed with six children. Willie 
wanted his children to leave no task incomplete and often uttered these 
words to his children: ``Don't ever stop anything you start. If you 
don't plan to finish it, don't start it.''
  Mr. Wright, Sr. was married with a seventh grade education but went 
back to school in 1969 to complete his education at Saints Industry in 
the Migrant Farm/Manpower School under the direction of Dr. Arenia C. 
Mallory. Mr. Wright, Sr. put his six children through their college 
education.
  In 1962, Mr. Wright went to work at the Charcoal Plant in Lexington, 
MS. In 1968, he began his employment with the Holmes County School Bus 
Garage as a Mechanic and continued his employment with the District 
until his retirement in 2008; an inspiring forty year career.
  Mr. Wright made free standing metal toys as a hobby that gain 
bragging rights with all of his co-workers, family and all who saw 
them. He designed an Electric Chair at the Holmes County Bus Garage and 
enjoyed plugging it up for all of his friends. Willie and all of his 
brothers were Blues guitarist and included their dance moves for 
audiences to enjoy. Although his favorite musical instrument was the 
harmonica, he was a master of them all.
  Mr. Willie Wright, Sr. will be truly missed and his legacy will 
continue in the heart of those he left behind: a devoted wife of sixty-
two years, Claudie Mae; 6 children: Artha Earl, Robert Lee, Earline 
(James Zachary), Willie, Jr., Brinda and Charlie Edward; 11 
Grandchildren: Sammie, Tonya (Jeremy), Stephanie (Jimmie), Robert, Jr., 
Alvia (Christopher), Aries, Robbie (Sha'marcus), Chauntrell, Jamie, 
Marcus and Charlie Martez; 7 Great-Grands, 1 sister-in-law, 6 brothers-
in-law, numerous nieces, nephews and loved ones.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the legacy 
of Mr. Willie Wright, Sr. for his dedication to the community, friends 
and his family.

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