Born August 21, 1933 outside Hartville, MO, Hettie was the daughter of James G. and Essa P. Robinett. A natural and intuitive teacher, Hettie received a degree in education from what was then SMSC (now Missouri State University). A product of a one-room grade school, Hettie began her teaching career at age 16 as a substitute teacher in a country school, and later taught full-time at Mtn. Grove Elementary for two years during college. After graduation, she moved to Springfield, IL to teach first and second grade while also earning a master’s degree from the U. of Missouri. Through a church social group, Hettie met and married Samuel D. Wright and moved with him to Syracuse, NY before settling in Charlotte in 1979.
Although her teaching career ended, Hettie remained committed to education, church, and civic service. She served many years as an officer in school PTA's and the band booster club, taught a books program, sold countless boxes of fruit, and helped in schools wherever there was a need. At Providence UMC, Hettie was very active in church circle, offered tours, welcomed new members, and worked at the front desk. She believed strongly in the importance of voting and served as judge for her local precinct for decades, and as a proud DAR member, she served as an officer, worked with new U.S. citizens, and administered school citizenship awards. At various times, Hettie also served as a Cub Scout den mother, was involved in her local garden club, and volunteered with the Duke Power Retirees.
When she wasn’t volunteering, Hettie was happiest at a bridge table, traveling with Sam and the PUMC choir, or simply visiting with friends old and new. Hettie never met a stranger, and continued to make and keep friends her entire life. She seemed to know not only every school teacher, cousin, band parent, neighbor, church member, and precinct voter, but their families and life stories as well. She was universally known as caring, knowledgeable, loving, and cheerful, even in her final days.
Hettie is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Jim and Susan Wright, and grandchildren, Wesley, Audrey and Victoria; her daughter and son-in-law, Mary and Nathan Rantala, and grandchildren, James and Peter; several nieces, a nephew, and a grand-nephew, and their families. She was preceded in death by her husband of 44 years, Sam; her brother, James G. Robinett, Jr.; and Sam’s sister and her husband, M.E. and Eugene Lundeen.
The family would like to thank the staff at The Sanctuary for providing Hettie with such loving care the last eight months.
A memorial service will be held at 2:00 pm on Friday, February 11, 2022 at Providence United Methodist Church in Charlotte. Private interment will follow at Robinett Cemetery in Hartville, MO.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to Wright Co. Historical Society, P.O. Box 253, Hartville, MO 65667, or to the Alzheimer's Association (https://www.alz.org/).
