Elnora Jacquelyne Wright

You are my mom and the only mom I know. You were there when I fell down. You were there when I cried. You were there when I was sad. You were also there to celebrate my achievements in music and in school; from elementary school to graduation to pharmacy college graduation. You encouraged me to believe in myself and to know I could accomplish anything I was willing to work for. It is because of you that I am the man that I am. I have harnessed your love, strength, and compassion for family and life. I have learned the importance of independence and never giving up on my dreams. You have always had a spark to fight for what you believe in and protect those you care for. It is this spirit that resides in me and is woven into the fabric of who I am as a husband, a brother, an uncle, a father, and a son. Thank you for all that you are and all that you have taught me either by actions or words. I will never say goodbye as in my prayers and thoughts I will continue to hear you as I also hear dad. I have no doubt and the full belief we will see each other again….. love you mom.

Rory, son

I am grateful that Eleanor (and Leonard) were gracious enough to raise Rory with good structure, morals, and work ethic. Rory has told me many stories from her presence at his elementary school through high school band activities that have helped him thrive. Eleanor has always lit up when she saw her grandson, Sebastian. I hope there are littles wherever she is now.

Karen

Nana was special to me for many reasons- she was fun, warm and loving. She called me her "twin", I think because we looked very similar, but this simple sentiment meant the world to me. In a childhood where I felt the opposite of special, she made me feel seen, loved, and special. I felt like the whole universe was looking at me when she was with me. I was her "twin", and that was all I needed.

Rashida, granddaughter

Nana gifted me a belief in myself. I was one of the many lucky recipients of her positivity and genuine good nature. My favorite memory of her is when she told me in her soft country, comforting voice, “your voice is so strong!” It’s my favorite because it perfectly exemplifies how she was always one to lift people up whether near or far. She was selfless and because of that she lives on in all of our hearts.

Jordan, grandson

My Nana ... Elnora Wright, Eleanor Wright, Elnora Robertson ...

She is our family matriarch who carried such a fiery & fun spirit & shared that with all of us.

Her legacy includes: wife to Poppops/ Leonard Wright, mother of 4, grandmother of 25, great-grandmother of 6 & possibly more as your legacy lives on through us all!

I remember specifically Nana always wanting to know what the latest dance was & of course teaching me & my siblings the macarena when it came out.

Playing songs on the radio & staying up with current musical artists as well (like Beyonce).

She would read us bible stories when she visited & always had some jokes & laughs to share. She was never afraid to tell anyone what she thought whether someone liked it or not or whether anyone agreed.

I remember her always telling me that she was "sweet 16" always & would always tell us to "stay sweet."

She even fooled me one time into believing that the cover of a Best of Minnie Riperton album was her in her younger heyday as a singer.

I remember as I got older having conversations about our family history; she loved talking about it & always said how important it was for us to know our history as it is our birthright.

She will be with us always in our heart, our spirit, how we do what we do & in so many other countless ways.

May we always carry her fun spirit & fire with us in the sweetest way.

Nyala, granddaughter

Elnora Wright, I cannot think of you without smiling. You are tornado, you are mountain top, you are an eternal apex of passion and a matriarch of unparalleled power! I will always remember you bringing us greens from the u-pick, dancing the Macarena with the kids donning Levi’s, Turquoise and made up like a Queen. I will always treasure these last years we have been able to talk about things close to our hearts and laugh uproariously together. I loved hearing the stories of the huge family reunions you went to back east and so many other memories you shared. You are a master storyteller :) I am so grateful to have seen you surrounded by your kids, grand-kids and great-grandkids and smiling a peaceful farewell. I love you.

Deirdre, granddaughter

My Nanna has adapted many attributes into the way I approach life socially, emotionally and physically. She has always encouraged me to “stay sweet” and she used these words as a way to emphasize honesty and loyalty. She used these terms of endearment for my best interest in order to keep me driven and motivated in becoming the best that I can be in everything I do with strength and wholehearted intentions. Nanna would always take me on her morning runs with the goal of modeling the importance of fitness and importance in maintaining a healthy heart, body and soul. Humbly, my mother noticed countless present genetic elements of strength that my Nanna has unconditionally rooted in her natural born grandchildren. Her strong gift of smell and keen sensitivity to the energies in her surroundings exist in my physical awareness and I am forever grateful for Nanna’s found approach to survival along with every single life lesson she has printed into the woman I am today. I love you Nanna! I pray in the presence of God, our Lord and the Holy Spirit to be the most merciful in his blessings of preservation to sustain peace and love during the exploration of his magnificent spiritual world of perfection. And in Jesus' name I pray, always sweet and forever your granddaughter. Amen.

-Brit, granddaughter

My childhood memories would not be so sweet if it weren’t for the warm, loving moments shared with Nana & Pop Pop. Walking into their Sacramento home always smelling of Nana’s phenomenal cooking! To the nuts & peppermints on the front table to the tetherball in the backyard. The love shared between the two seemed to fill up any room. My Nana was so beautiful & took great care of her body and appearance. Her beauty was unmatched. Her sense of humor was wonderful & always on time! So hilarious, and wise with her words of advice. Her beauty, style, laughter, smile, cooking, grace, & warm spirit will never be forgotten. I love you Nana, Rest in heaven with Pop Pop until we get there.🙏🏽

Sherae, granddaughter

I have many fond memories of Nana. I spent my childhood visiting her and Pop Pop frequently. Nana was also my first pen pal, and if I did not write back quickly enough she would definitely give me a piece of her mind. She would mail me the best gifts, and this included some moisturizer that included gold flakes (thank you Nana for adding to my future high maintenance beauty routines). Nana also had some flawless skin, if only I could remember what that moisturizer was.

Nana is probably part of the reason why I survived college. She was my go to for recipes. She taught me how to cook and bake delicious meals. We all know that Nana was an amazing chef. I will miss our talks and laughs. When they say it takes a village to raise a child, I am the poster child of that. I will forever be grateful for the time I was able to spend with her. Love you Nana, your favorite granddaughter (this was a inside joke between her & I) Karman

Karman, granddaughter

“God Bless the Child…,” was one of the directions you taught me so well.

Per mom, “Be proud and outstanding but stay away from the pressures of hell.”

I love you, Eleanor Robertson Wright, for instilling in me unconditional love, understanding and a sense of being free.

And that as a mother you only wanted the best that your children could receive.

You drove the vehicle that showed what sacrifice was really about.

Although, I was too young to recognize, I should never have had any doubt.

Teaching a failure only occurs when you stop trying to pursue.

You kept the family together, from the start all the way through.

We all recognized it, and I know dad appreciated it too.

Mom, the legacy you and Dad left behind will continue to grow and expand.

And to always know that a part of you is in everyone of us, as your spirit will continue to stand.

The tradition of holidays, and all birthdays too,

The preparation, cooking, laughing and a football game is a continuing fashion that I will always pursue.

I am so blessed to have had a mother and a father, who raised us from the start.

Giving us love, directions and always a good meal, which was invariably given from the heart.

One day, I will be reunited with you mom, dad and Rasheen.

And one thing for certain is that it will not be a dream.

But today (everyday), we are celebrating your life and all the wonderful moments and things we shared,

And for those moments nothing, and I mean, NOTHING on this Earth can hardly be compared.

I love you!

Your daughter, Gail. AKA Snail!

“ I love you auntie and I will miss hearing the historic memories of the past”.

Boyce (nephew of Elnora)

“My memories of my sister Elnora was a child of 7 or 8. I was being introduced as a little sister by her and my brothers James and Haywood. They were living in Washington D.C. at the time and I was living in Charlotte. They all came down by train to get me so I could visit with them in Washington. I was thrilled. First of all because I had never been on a train and I was meeting and hanging out with my family on my father’s side. Time passed on of course and everyone went their separate ways of life and contact was rare. We would meet up at our yearly family reunions and everyone would try to catch up with their lives in 3 days of what had transpired in years. I then retired after 38 years up north and came back to Charlotte. Elnora and her husband had relocated to Charlotte so we got to hook up a little more. Me working a crazy shift, we would try to catch up by telephone when we could. We would laugh and talk and she would share stories with me of me and my father that I had no memories of. And of course of her “DIVA DAYS” and jokingly of her still being a “DIVA” because that’s what the Robertson Girls Are. I’ll miss our conversations and the few visits we shared and the happy and funny stories told. I’ll keep them close and inside. Thank you sis…Love Sandra" (sister)