She attended school in Union Church, MS. In 1937, she married Terryl Gregory Wright from Raymond, MS. Together they had three children: Carolyn, Dale and Janet. In 1943, Gregory enlisted in the U. S. Army during World War II and served in Europe until 1945.
Being part of a musical family, she received her own guitar at age 12 and enjoyed playing it and singing with her family. She was an accomplished seamstress and sewed for the public. She won a statewide competition as a member of the Home Demonstration Club for dressmaking. She even made a wedding dress for the Home Economics teacher at Hinds Junior College. In addition, she made teddy bears for her own enjoyment as well as gifts for baby and wedding showers. She was a gifted quilter making many beautiful quilts, which will now become family heirlooms. She was an excellent cook and hosted many pastors and their families for Sunday dinner after church.
Irene and Gregory were married for 77 years until his death in 2015. At the time of her death, she was the eldest member of the Hinds Independent Methodist Church.
Irene was preceded in death by her husband and her parents. She is survived by daughter and son-in-law Carolyn and Leland Douglas; son Dale Wright; daughter and son-in-law Janet and David Miller, all who reside in Raymond, MS; grandchildren Gary (Jane) Bolton; Teresa (Jimmy) Cox; Kristin Rhodes; Shawn Wright; Lance (Tasha) Wright; Jacob Wright; Elaine (Shawn) McNeal; Robert (Chrisanna) Saums; Patrick (Jessica) Saums; fourteen great grandchildren and five great great grandchildren. She was known affectionately as Nana to all the “grands.” Other loving survivors include sisters Hazel Cook; Thelma Jean Reed; Eva (Tommy) Williams and brother Wayne (Faye) Holmes.
The family would like to extend our deepest gratitude to Mary Dixon and Maggie Montgomery who helped to care for her.
Visitation will be held on Saturday, December 29, at 12:00 p.m. until the time of the service at 2:00 p.m. at Hinds Independent Methodist Church with burial immediately following in the church cemetery.
