Andrew Jackson Wright

Andrew Wright, 81, of Pell City, passed away on October 24, 2026. Born in Pell City on August 18, 1945, to Hubert and Elizabeth Wright, he was a son of the mill village and spent his life helping to preserve it.

After graduating from Ramsey High School in 1963, Andrew proudly served in the US Navy, where he earned multiple awards and medals. He later worked as a landscaper and a teacher before becoming principal of Iola Roberts Elementary School from 1984 to 1993. It was the same school he had attended as a boy, the first where he sat alongside children from outside the mill village. After retiring from education, he earned his master builder's license and opened Heritage Construction, becoming one of the area's most respected restoration builders. He saved dozens of mill village home from demolition and restored the historic facades along Cogswell Avenue in downtown Pell City. He often said that the old houses were his favorite work: "I'm just a history guy."

Andrew was a creative man. He enjoyed painting, pottery and writing short stories, and he was happiest in his studio or at the pond behind his home, which he and Trish opened to neighbors for fishing.

He is survived by his wife of 32 years, Trish; his children, Marc (Tiffany) Wright, Katy (Matthew) Yarbrough, Jamie (Brandy) Taylor, and Ryan (Christy) Taylor; his brother David (Darnelle) Wright; six grandchildren, Jennifer (Andrew) Sanford, Addie Yarbrough, Finnegan Yarbrough, Coleman Yarbrough, Layla Taylor and Gibson Taylor; and one great-grandchild, Savannah Sanford. He was preceded in death by his parents, Hubert and Elizabeth Wright and his brother, Charles "Butch" Wright.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations to the Pell City Education Foundation.