Mary Ellen Hicks Wright

MaryEllen Hicks Wright was reunited with her loved ones in heaven on January 22, 2024. She was born January 30, 1945 in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. She is a graduate of Ketron High School. She received both her Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Education from East Tennessee State University. She was a member of Sigma Kappa Sorority.

MaryEllen began her teaching career in Sullivan County Schools in 1967. She taught at Kingsley Elementary School from 1967-1972, Cedar Grove Elementary from 1972-1976, and summer school at Lynn Garden Elementary for 6 years. She took time off to raise her daughters then returned to teaching in the "Challenge Program" at Brookside, Cedar Grove and Kingsley Elementary from 1983 until the conclusion of the program in 1985. She then taught 5th grade at Indian Springs Elementary until her retirement in 2000. She was a member of First Broad Street United Methodist Church. She was a devoted wife, mother, teacher, friend, neighbor, and cat lover.

She is preceded in death by her husband of 55 years, Emanuel Martin Wright; foster parents, Ellen Hicks & Hugh Lloyd ("Pat") Patterson; parents, Francis Seneker and Hassell Henry Hicks Sr.; 3 brothers, Hassell H. Hicks, James A. Hicks, and Joseph F. Hicks; 1 sister, Anne Hicks Patterson; and sister-in-law, Carrie Wright Durham.

She is survived by her daughter, Sarah Wright; adopted daughter, Amy Wright; sister in-law, Janie Hicks; lifelong friend of almost 60 years, Ingrid Shoaf; many nieces and nephews; great nieces and nephews; many cousins; 2 grandchildren; as well as special neighbors, Rachel and Dominque Coclough and Faye Yates.

The Wright family will gather to greet family and friends on Friday, April 5, 2024 in the Chapel of East Lawn Funeral Home from 4-6 pm. A Celebration of Life Service will follow at 6 pm with Rev. Randy Frye officiating. A Committal Service and Inurnment will occur on Saturday, April 6, 2024 at 11 am at the Garden of the Mausoleum in East Lawn Memorial Park.

Memorial contributions can be made in MaryEllen's name to Petworks Animal Services, 3101 E. Stone Dr., Kingsport, TN 37660 or via their website https://petworkstn.com/donate