Retha M Wright

A beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, Retha Mae Wright, 82, of Palm Harbor, Fl., died peacefully after a sudden, brief illness on November 8, 2023. The second eldest of seven children, Retha was born March 1, 1941, in Jewell Valley, Virginia, to Samuel and Dorothy Ward.

Retha grew up a coalminer’s daughter in the mountains of West Virginia. Although born into the harsh poverty of rural Appalachia, she would routinely say that she and her siblings never knew how poor they were because they had the steady love of their parents and family. She would say that her parents and those early years gave her the work ethic and the confidence to forge her own path in life. Those who knew her would say that Retha did more than just forge a path. She blazed a trail.

Frequently compared to Dolly Parton with her platinum blond hair, huge smile, southern accent, and infectious laugh, Retha epitomized the phrase “force of nature.” Some would call her feisty, most would call her fiery. She gave 150% to absolutely everything in her life.

As a young, newly married 19-year-old, she took on the challenge of raising an 11-year-old stepson, Bobby, and ultimately proceeded to raise two daughters of her own, Robynn and Cindy, much of that time as a single mother. Then at age 36, she moved to Florida and married Bob, a man who she would say was the first of two great loves in her life, and once again, she graciously raised another step child, this time a daughter, Nancy. Nine years later, Bob and Retha would adopt a young girl in need of a family, Betty, and raise her as their daughter.

Shortly after her move to Florida, Retha also began a new career in real estate that, in addition to her family, would become her greatest passion in life and continue right up until the day she died. She worked for 45 years as a realtor, predominantly in the retirement community of Highland Lakes, which she also called home for the last 25 years. She devoted herself to her clients and referred to all of them, past and present, as her “people.” Along the way, she was fortunate enough to find Bill, a life partner with whom she would spend another 20 years. And while Retha’s life story exemplifies much of the American dream, that is not what stands out about her. It is her character.

Retha personified the word generous. She never hesitated to give to someone in need or lend a hand. She consistently offered her time, energy, and resources to those around her. She cared deeply not only for her family and loved ones, but also for her friends, neighbors, coworkers and clients. She was strong, courageous, trustworthy, honest, and giving, often to a fault. She touched countless lives over the course of hers, blessing many along the way.

Retha was preceded in death by both her parents, her sisters Frances Brunty and Alma Sue Kidwell, her husband of 20 years, Robert Wright, her life partner of 20 years, William Stafford, her adopted daughter, Elizabeth Hess-Sadeghpour, and her oldest daughter, Robynn Beniquez. She is survived by her sisters Shirley Adams, Barbara McCoy, Berlie Kay Christian, her brother Benton Ward, her stepsons Bobby Maxwell & Randy Maxwell, her step daughter Nancy Neel, and her loving daughter Cynthia Maxwell. She also leaves behind ten grandchildren, numerous great grandchildren, and many cherished friends. She loved fiercely, worked tirelessly, and gave generously. She will be deeply missed.