Charlene Wright

Grama was born on November 15, 1931 to Charlie and Ora Mae Lawrence Adams. Her mother wasn’t prepared with a name, so the nurse put “Charlene” on the birth certificate. None too pleased with the name choice, her mom called her “Tina” all of her life (she hated that, by the way).

Charlene spent her childhood in an Army family, moving from base to base, and as she moved, her consistency became her love of reading and her ever-growing library. Charlene graduated from THE Public High School of Paris, Texas, and went on to graduate from Navarro College.

She met the absolute love of her life, Glenn Wright, and they married in 1952. When you think of Grama, you’d probably be a little surprised to hear that her young marriage to Glenn was full of adventure – like how she would drive their boat and pull Glenn on skis – even though neither of them could swim…

In 1959, her “colorful” child, Jeff, was born. Even though he was “always his own person,” she said Jeff still didn’t prepare her for her envelope-pushing, second-born son, Greg. More than once, she said, “If I had had him first…I’d only have had one.”

“Her girls” were her three nieces, Cathey, Judy Bob, and Connie. She adored them and was so very proud of them. They completed the Kids. “The family” had five kids– Jeff, Greg, Cathey, Judy-Bob, and Connie. And this is where the foundation was laid and the legacy of love began.

Life as a family was to be lived and enjoyed. From showing horses to camping in New Mexico, Charlene taught her boys the value of family and family time. Even when this included motorcycle riding – as a family. Yes, she rode a motorbike – and it was green.

As life moments came and went, she became mother-in-law to Misty and Julie, and she lived with Greg and Julie their entire marriage. The point here, is…if you heard, “My mother-in-law lives with me, what would you think?” But this wasn’t Charlene. Charlene was a blessing.

Charlene was calm, rational, collected, smart, wise, patient, loving, and never judgmental. She was, however, brutally honest. She was the one you could go to with a big decision, and count on her to give you the wise answer, regardless of what you wanted to hear. She was a foundation, a rock, and the cornerstone of her family.

She absolutely loved the grandchildren God gave her. The 4As - Adam, Alex, Aaron, and Ariele, and the motley crew – Jonathan, Chris, Courtney, Nathan, Dylan, Jordan, Seth, Sarah, Samuel, Joy, James, and Jesse. She loved them all. She was a grandmother to biological, step, and adopted children. She loved them, and was concerned for each of them as they made their own paths in this life. They made her proud. Her love continued to grow as one-by-one, her great-grandchildren were born. And there are some on the way. We will be sure to tell them about their Grama…

In addition to being a voracious reader, a non-swimming water-skiier-pulling boat driver, and a green-motorcycle rider, Grama cross-stitched until she literally couldn’t see straight, she loved board games, and a good game of dominoes made her day. Most recently, getting out on Fridays to get her hair done and go play Dominoes at Bean and Burger with the 42 ladies (and men) was what she looked forward to each week. And, if anyone wanted to watch a Ranger game or a Cowboys game, it was always on over at Grama’s.

Most importantly, Grama loved her God. The day after Christmas, as her earthly body tired, her soul blossomed through the gates of Heaven, into her real home, and into the arms of her Lord and Savior. She was reunited with her love, Glenn, her parents, her friends, and her family that were already there waiting for her.

For those of us she left, we miss our Grama. She was so good. There’s not a more clear description of her than “She was so good.” And if she could tell all of you one thing, she’d say, “Put your stresses away for a while. Go get a board game. Grab some dominoes and your family, and play a game. Laugh together and love the time you have with them.”

Grama was so wise.