St. Clair County Obits

ALMA JEAN WRIGHT

The Independence Examiner
1 May 2007
Alma Jean Wright was born May 20, 1932, in New Home Township, Bates County, Mo., to Marshall H. Bennett and Victoria Pauline (Goodwin) Bennett. She died April 20, 2007, age 74, at the University of Kansas Medical Center after suffering a stroke three weeks earlier.
Alma Jean grew up in rural Bates County, Mo., and in Independence, Mo., graduated from Rich Hill High School in 1950, and subsequently married Ervin Finis Wright of Lowry City, Mo., on Aug. 19, 1950. Throughout the remainder of their lives, they jointly farmed and ranched in the Ohio community of St. Clair County, Mo., located halfway between Appleton City and Lowry City. While still continuing to farm and ranch, they moved from the farm to a home in Lowry City in 1979, where Alma Jean resided at the time of her death. In addition to nearly 50 years working on the farm, Alma Jean also spent many years commercially transporting livestock to the Kansas City Stockyards and then spent several years as the Older Adult Transportation Service (OATS) driver in both St. Clair and Henry counties.
To their marriage union were born two sons, Randy Ervin Wright, on October 1, 1952, and David Lee "Dave" Wright on January 2, 1962. Alma Jean took great pride in her role as "Mom" to her boys. Becoming "Grandma" to her only granddaughter, Lauren, who was born on August 16, 1991, was one of the greatest joys of her life. With Ervin's death on July 7, 1999, after a prolonged battle with cancer, she lost her life partner and the love of her life.
Alma Jean was always very actively involved in the community through numerous organizations. As a young woman, she was active in the Order of the Eastern Star, holding numerous offices, including Worthy Matron. Throughout her life, she was actively involved in local politics, was elected committeewoman from her township for more than 20 years, and chaired more than her share of political potluck dinners and fundraisers. When her youngest son, Dave, entered high school, she became very actively involved in supporting the newly-formed Vocational Agriculture Program, FFA Chapter, FTA Chapter, and other school activities and events. She was a charter member of the Appleton City FFA Alumni and served as its first Vice-President during the late 1970s. She became known as "Mom" to both FFA and FTA members because she nearly always attended their field trips and activities as a chaperone and driver. She was recognized by the Appleton City FFA Chapter with the "Distinguished Service Award" and with the "Honorary Chapter Farmer Degree." In 1981, she was also recognized by the Missouri FFA Organization with the "Honorary State Farmer Degree." She was devoted to serving youth and to assisting the elderly throughout her life.
Alma Jean was saved as a young girl and united with the First Christian Church of Rich Hill. In August 1996, she was rebaptized in the Osage River near Osceola, Mo., with her husband, Ervin, and they both joined High Hill Missionary Baptist Church near Osceola, where she continued to be a member at the time of her death. Alma Jean was preceded in death by her husband, Ervin, and by both of her parents.
She is survived by two sons, Randy Wright of Appleton City, Mo., and Dave Wright of Blue Springs, Mo., and one granddaughter, Lauren Wright of Blue Springs.
Funeral services were held at 10 a.m. Thursday, April 26, at the Sheldon-Goodrich Funeral Home, Osceola, Mo., officiated by Brother Dale Walkup. The Eulogist was Dave Wright. Music was provided by Gail Ingle. Casketbearers were: Terry Rusconi, Leland Browning, Troy Scranton, Jim Howe, Mark Ray, Richard Anderson, Mike Byard and Matt Kamphoefner. Honorary casketbearers were: Dale Pasley, Lloyd Davis, John Kern, Theron King, Frank Wright, Martin Halfert, John B. Browning, Dr. Arthur Bourland, Doug Wisner, Burleigh Wheeler, Don Ghere and Larry Walters. Interment and graveside services followed at Lowry City Cemetery, Lowry City, Mo., under the direction of the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, donations were made in her honor to the Alma Jean Wright Memorial Scholarship Fund to benefit FFA members or students pursuing the post-secondary study of agriculture. Scholarship Fund donations can be mailed directly to P.O. Box 685, Blue Springs, Mo. 64013.