Shirley Knorr Wright

Shirley Joann Knorr was born April 27th, 1933, in Des Moines, Iowa, to William and Laura Knorr. She was the youngest of four children and graduated from North High School in Des Moines in 1950. Upon the recommendation of her high school English teacher, Shirley got a job as a journalist for the Merchant Trade Journal, where she traveled the country by train and bus. She fell in love with Denver during her travels and moved there at the age of 20, working for Broyle’s Advertising Agency in various roles, eventually writing ad copy.

In February 1955, Shirley met Ed Wright at a party. They were married 18 months later on August 11, 1956, at Holy Family Catholic Church. In the first 8 years of their 70+ years of marriage, they had four children and relocated several times, most often due to job transfers. Their oldest son, Tim, was born in Milwaukee; middle sons, Steve and Eddie, were born in Houston; and their daughter, Paula, was born in Beaumont.

Shirley ran their busy household, shuttling kids to school, Scouts, the sport of the season, dance lessons, doctors’ appointments, and more, while also keeping everyone fed and on time. The family moved to Tulsa in 1971 where Shirley worked for the Tulsa ISD, at Skelly Middle School running the English testing center and then in ISD administration. Thereafter, she was David Williams’ executive assistant at The Williams Company, a Fortune 500 pioneer in the oil and gas industry headquartered in Tulsa.

In 1982, Shirley attended the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults and formally joined the Catholic Church. Ed and Shirley then moved to Katy, Texas, where Shirley worked for various companies and became involved in Marriage Encounter at their church. They retired in 1993 and moved to Lago Vista, Texas, where they built their dream home, became actively involved in the local retirement community, traveled, and hosted family gatherings for their kids and ever-growing number of grandchildren.

In 2007 Ed and Shirley moved to Coppell, Texas, to help their son Steve and his family when his wife Robin fell ill. They were actively involved with their Coppell-based kids and grandkids, and the local St. Ann Parish community. Shirley and Ed also found time to research, write, edit, and publish three books based on family histories. They later joined an assisted living community in Carrolton in 2023 and another in Denton, Texas, in 2025.

Shirley is preceded in death by her mother Laura Edith Perkins, Father William Adam Knorr, stepfather Marion Perkins; her sisters Betty Mae Ellis, Carol Marie Knorr, Ferne Lorraine Long, brother Dean William Knorr, and her daughter-in-law Robin Wright.

She is survived by her husband of 70 years, Edward V. Wright, Jr.; sons Timothy Patrick Wright (Karen), Steven Michael Wright (Lori), Edward Anthony Wright (Annette); daughter Paula Lauraine Everett (Tim); seven grandchildren Kyler Wright (Diana), Aaron Wright (Maude), Kristin Wright (Pawel), MaKayla Clayton (Ben), Lauren Groth (Ben), Dylan Wright (Regina), Blake Everett (Therese); along with 9 great grandchildren.

A prayer service will be held at Rolling Oaks Funeral Home, located at 400 Freeport Parkway, Coppell, Texas, on Thursday, November 5, at 6pm. A funeral mass will be held at St. Ann Catholic Church in the chapel, 180 Samuel Blvd, Coppell, Texas, Friday November 6, at 2:30 pm with a reception to follow.

In lieu of flowers the family would suggest donations to your local chapter of the St. Vincent de Paul Society or other charity of your choice.