Gena Gaines Wright

Gena Gaines Wright, 82, of Blytheville, passed from this life Sunday, June 27, 2021, at Flo and Phil Jones Hospice House in Jonesboro. Gena was born to Marcus and Louise Gaines in Blytheville.

Growing up among numerous cousins and friends in the Promised Land community and Blytheville community provided many best friends as well as playmates. School years began in San Diego, Calif., where she attended kindergarten while her dad was finishing his commitment to the United States Navy. The family returned to Blytheville for the rest of her education. She graduated from Blytheville High School in 1956 and then attended Memphis State University, receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in 1960. At Memphis State, she was a member of Alpha Gamma Delta Sorority. After graduating she got her first job teaching business in Memphis and only stopped 31 years later. She loved teaching and most of all loved working with young people while teaching in the Blytheville and Gosnell School Districts.

In her first year of teaching in Jacksonville, Fla., she met the love of her life Richard “Dick” Wright. They would have been married 60 years. Their marriage produced two daughters, Kimberly Wright Prevallet (Paul) of Blytheville and Allison Wright Ouellette (James) of Spokane, Wash., who gave them much pride and joy along with five special grandchildren. Grandchildren include Blair Winston of Nashville, Tenn., Bryan Winston (Ashley) of Blytheville, Baylor Winston (DJ) of Blytheville, Morgan Ouellette (Ashley) of Spokane, Wash., and Sara Ouellette of Spokane, Wash. Gena was blessed by two loving great-grandchildren, Bentley and Elena Winston of Blytheville.

Gena was preceded in death by her parents, Marcus and Louise Gaines; grandparents, Henry and Bertha Young and Silas and Myra Gaines; and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.

A celebration of life will be held for Gena and Richard in October. Details will be announced at a later date. Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.cobbfuneralhome.com.