Joseph Wright passed away peacefully on Wednesday, July 28, 2021. Joseph Wright was born on April 18, 1934 in Fort Motte, South Carolina to the late Joseph Wright Sr. and the late Cassie Keitt Wright. He was the oldest of four children.
Joseph was educated in the District of Columbia Public School system: Smothers Elementary School, Woodson Elementary School, Merritt Junior High School, Brown Junior High School, Henry T. Blow Junior High School, Shaw Junior High School, Cardoza Senior High School, and Phelps Senior High School.
Joseph married Piccola Carroll on December 12, 1953. They met at the Jet Arena Skating Rink after the wheel of her skate came off and he asked her if he could help her. They passed their love of roller skating on to their four daughters, Denyse, Wanda, Michele and Pamela and his son Lester Perrin.
Joseph was a self-taught master of many trades. They include auto mechanics, cement finishing, carpentry, fence work, upholstery, and photography. Speaking of being self-taught, Joseph purchased a tennis racket and can of balls from a thrift store and taught himself to play tennis after closely watching Wimbledon champion Arthur Ashe. Joseph won many championships and became a member of the Deanwood Tennis Association. He became so proficient at the game of tennis that he combined his love of skating and tennis often playing tennis while on roller skates!
Joseph was a construction worker and was constantly seeking knowledge of the world. He was a master at typing, being able to type over 100 wpm on an old Underwood typewriter. Joseph retired from DC Public School system as a cement finisher.
Joseph was baptized at the Lakeview Baptist Church in San Antonio, Texas while serving in the U.S. Air Force. He later joined the family church, Mt. Calvary Baptist Church in Washington, D.C. His final church affiliation was the First Baptist Church of Glen Arden MD where he enjoyed being a member of the Agape Ministry. Each month he worked diligently to recognize each member with birthday greetings making sure to mail the birthday cards on time to the members in his ministry.
When asked how he would like to be remembered, Joseph responded that he wanted to be remembered for always being willing to help others, often teaching the neighborhood young men to work on cars with him as well as working with him as his assistant at photography events. He loved passing on knowledge to the younger generation oftentimes having many nephews working alongside him. He enjoyed telling very detailed stories to all who would listen.
Win or lose, he was an avid Washington Football fan. Washington Football gear was appreciated for birthday and Father's Day gifts. He was gifted during his senior years with the Tennis Channel that played 24/7/365! He loved the sport and could watch tennis matches all day long. He was especially good at coaching the GOAT, Serena Williams, while watching her play. He had such a fondness for both of the Williams Sisters and hardly ever missed any of their matches. He will also be remembered for his love of whistling and singing as well as having special pet names for those he loved.
Joseph will continued to be loved and remembered by his wife, Piccola “Biggest Girl” Wright; his son, Lester Perrin (Gail); his daughters: Denyse “Uno” Bennett (Roy), Wanda “Dos” Brooks, Michele “Big Baby” Wright, and Pamela “Little Baby” McKinney; his sister Rose “Teresa” Wright (JoVon “Cinco”); grandchildren: Catina “Big Grandbaby” (Anthony), Denyelle “Little Grandbaby” (Brandon), Quiana “Baby Grandbaby”(Kevin), and Jamar; great grandchildren: Denzelle, “Poodie”, Morgan “Boss Lady”, Samantha, and Jihan as well as a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and beloved friends.
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