E. Massie Wright

Edwin Massie Wright, lifelong resident of Waynesboro, Virginia, died peacefully on Saturday, January 27, 2018, in Waynesboro, at the age of 87 years, after courageously battling many health issues over the past several years. Born April 27, 1930, in Waynesboro, son of the late Lou Nel Massie Wright and James Walton Wright, he was predeceased by his older brother, James Walton Wright, Jr. Massie is survived by his wife of 60 years, Shirley Stanley Wright; sisters, Mary Sue Wright, of Gainesville, FL and Betty Wise Wright Richmond, of Stuarts Draft; son, Stephen Walton Wright (Ronelyn) of Waynesboro; daughter, Inga Wright Taylor (Douglas W.) of Waynesboro; Lisa Paige Wright of Sugar Land, Texas; Wendy Wright Ferguson (Rodney S.) of Palm Bay, FL; grandsons, Jacob R. Taylor of Charlottesville; Eamon H. Taylor of Waynesboro; Joshua Ferguson of Palm Bay, FL; granddaughters, Virginia A. Wright, Leana A. Wright, Nell Taylor Beebe (William) of Waynesboro; Jane Massie Taylor of Austin, TX; Hannah Ferguson Miles (Garry) of LaGrange, WY; Abigail Ferguson Rodriguez (Jonathan) and Gabrielle Ferguson of Palm Bay, FL; great-grandsons, Silas Merkel and Wiley Beebe of Waynesboro; Wakely Miles and Coen Miles of LaGrange, WY; great-granddaughters, Marley Wright, Harper and Larkin Beebe of Waynesboro; and Holland Miles of LaGrange, WY. He also leaves behind his best friend, John Black of Germantown, TN. Massie graduated from Waynesboro High School in 1948 and then graduated from the Corps of Cadets at Randolph Macon Academy in the class of 1949. He then entered the University of Richmond where he majored in Business Administration and played basketball for the university. From 1952 until 1954, Massie left school to report for duty as a corporal in the Korean War in Austria. He then returned to the University of Richmond where he again played varsity basketball and graduated in 1956. Following graduation, Massie and his partner, Aubrey M. Foltz, established the Foltz-Wright Agency with Provident Life and Accident Insurance Company in Waynesboro and Lexington, Virginia, where he worked as a general agent for thirty years. Massie enjoyed playing in city basketball leagues and teaching children to excel in basketball. He encouraged many young athletes to attend college where they could excel in the sport while receiving a college diploma as well. Massie loved birdwatching, and he and his wife traveled to South America, Australia, Africa, and Europe, and all over the United States, where they identified over 2000 species for their life list. In addition to his family, his foremost enjoyment was his church, his daily Bible study, and encouraging others to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. His lively sense of humor and gregarious nature will be forever remembered and greatly missed, but his fight to reach Victory has been achieved. Following a private graveside service at 10:00 A.M. on February 7, 2018, a memorial service will be conducted at 11:00 A.M. at Hope Community Church, 364 Bridge Avenue, Waynesboro, with Dr. Glen Holman officiating. The family will receive friends following the memorial service at the church. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the GBS-CIDP Foundation International or to the American Cancer Society or to charities of your choice. Relatives and friends may share condolences and memories with the family online by visiting www.reynoldshamrickfuneralhomes.com