Mother Marie Brown Wright of 367 Richardson Road, Smithville, Georgia, died on Sunday, May 31, 2026, at Pruitt Health Ashburn in Ashburn, Georgia.

The funeral service will be held on Friday, June 5, 2026, at 3:30 PM in the chapel of the J. W. Williams Funeral Home in Cordele, Georgia.  The burial will follow at the Marthana Memorial Garden Cemetery in Desoto, Georgia.

Everyone entering the funeral home for visitations or services is required to wear a mask and maintain social distancing.  A mask must be worn throughout the stay.  You must supply your mask.

Mother Marie Brown Wright was born on April 6, 1946, in Smithville, Georgia, to the late Richard Brown, Sr., and Mary Emma Coleman Brown.

A brilliant student from her youth, Marie graduated as the Valedictorian of the Class of 1963 from Lee County Training School. Driven by a passion for knowledge and community advancement, she continued her education at  Albany State University, earning a Bachelor of Science in Business  Education, and later obtained her Master's in Education from the University of Georgia.

Marie accepted Christ as her personal Savior at an early age, beginning a lifelong walk of faith at New Hope AME Church in Smithville, Georgia. Her spiritual journey later led her to become a founding member and the dedicated First Lady of Marthanna Living Way of Christ Church in Desoto, Georgia.   She also served as First Lady of other churches in the community.  In her later years, she found joy in fellowshipping with the Emmanuel    Missionary Baptist Church in Cordele, Georgia.

As an educator and a leader, Mother Wright poured her wisdom into countless students through her work with Darton College, Lee County High School, and Dooly County High School. Beyond the classroom, she was a driven entrepreneur and small business owner of W, H, & L, LLC.

When she wasn't serving her community or church, Marie found joy in life's simple pleasures: gardening, singing, traveling, watching her favorite game shows, and solving crossword and word search puzzles. Above all, she cherished the time spent with her beloved family and friends.

Mother Wright transitioned peacefully to her heavenly home on Sunday, May 31, 2026. She is reunited in eternal rest with her beloved husband, Reverend Lem Wright; her parents, Richard Brown, Sr. and Mary Emma Coleman Brown; her siblings: Mary Bell Rivers, Dorothy Ann Smith, Raymond Brown, Richard Brown, Jr., Melvin Brown, and Michael Brown and her grandparents: Oscar  Coleman, Sr., Clara Bell Anderson Coleman, Jessie Brown, and Julie Ann Belcher Brown.

The legacy of her love, wisdom, and faith will live on through her devoted family:  her children, Dr. Deane Wright Holsey (Minister Johnnie Holsey) of Cordele, Georgia, Marcia Wright Lane of Leesburg, Georgia, and Timothy Dodson (Monica) of Louisville, Kentucky; her foster daughter, Cynthia Wilson of Albany, Georgia; 14 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; four great-great grandchildren; her in-laws, Virginia (Archie) Chatmon of Albany, Georgia, Dorothy (Willie) Sneed and Ronnie Wright of Desoto, Georgia, Lewis Carter of Miami, Florida, Jeremiah (Betty) Carter of Browns Mills, New Jersey, Ruthie Brown of Flint, Michigan, Clinton Williams, Sr. of Miami, Florida, Imogene Wright and Judith Wright of Jersey City, New Jersey, Shenika Brown of Homestead, Florida, and Constance Carter of Miami, Florida; her aunt and uncle-in-law, Virginia (Willard) Austin of  Miami, Florida; her dear friends, Ozie Pace and Judy Glass of Albany, Georgia; a host of loving nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.