Mary Wright

Mary Ann Ariail Wright passed away peacefully at her home on December 13, 2024, at the age of 89, from complications of dementia. She was born on September 24, 1935, and grew up on her family’s farm in Carnesville, Georgia, where she learned to drive the family-owned school bus.

After finishing high school as a candidate for valedictorian, Mary began her career with the State of Georgia Motor Vehicle Tag Department. From there, she took a position with the Office of Motor Vehicle Fuel Tax Revenue, and also worked part-time as a bookkeeper for the Employee’s Credit Union in downtown Atlanta. After many years of commuting to Atlanta, she became the bookkeeper for the Forsyth County News in Cumming, Georgia. Seeking a new adventure, she and her husband bought and ran the The Sewing Shop in downtown Cumming. She later became the Administrator for the District II Health Department in Gainesville, Georgia, overseeing budgets and fiscal duties for 13 counties in Northeast Georgia until her retirement.

Mary didn’t slow down after retirement. She enjoyed her passion for collecting beautiful porcelain dolls and figurines, especially from artist Jan Hagara, among others. She and her close friend, Freda Spell, often traveled to Georgetown, Texas, for doll conventions, where she met lifelong friends with whom she kept in touch over the years.

Her many creative talents included planning beautiful, elegant parties for family weddings and baby showers. She created floral arrangements rivaling those of professionals and wrapped the most stunning Christmas and birthday gifts. For years, she curated a family newsletter to include with her Christmas cards. She had a great eye for décor and even drew up plans for renovating the master bathroom in their home.

Mary was dedicated to her children and relished her involvement in their church, school, and extracurricular activities growing up. If a bus left for a Flash of Crimson band event or a First Baptist Church choir trip, Mary and her husband Edward, were almost assuredly on board or following behind in a car, either chaperoning or attending the events. They had as much fun as the children on many an overnight trip to places like Florida, the Bahamas, New Orleans, and New York, to name a few. She was also a co-leader for the local Girl Scouts of America troop, tirelessly traveling with the troop and helping the girls earn their awards and badges.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Delbert and Woodie Faye Ariail. She is survived by her devoted husband of 71 years, Edward Wright; daughter, Deborah Wright; son, Tony Wright (Holly); daughter, Terry Coggin; grandson, Randall Coggin (Abby); granddaughter, Sarah Beth Luzum (David); granddaughter, Catherine Ferbrache (Cody); granddaughters, Madison Wright and Morgan Wright; six great-grandchildren; and many cousins, nieces, and nephews.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to Mary’s devoted and loving caregivers, Christine Bozaich and Liz Mattingly. We could not have managed her final days without them.

We also thank the staff at McDonald and Son Funeral Home for helping us navigate this difficult time The family will receive friends on Saturday from 12noon until the service hour. Funeral services will be held Saturday, December 21, 2024 at 1pm in the Chapel of McDonald and Son Funeral Home. Interment will follow at Sawnee View Memorial Gardens.

A reception will follow the graveside service in the community room at McDonald and Son Funeral Home.