Nellie M. Wright

Nellie May Wright was called home to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ after a long but hard fought illness on February 14, 2005. She was able to go home with the deserved dignity through the loving and caring assistance of Joseph Ritchie Hospice. Nellie was the first born of three children to the late Ulysses and "Maggie" Matthews. She was born in Parole, Maryland in 1909. The family moved to Baltimore where she attended and graduated from Baltimore City Public Schools. As a young woman she held many jobs to care for her two daughters Verna Mae and Shirley Vivian from an earlier marriage to Harold Stepteau. During that time she was selfless and assisted many with love and acts of kindness. Nellie thereafter was referred to as "Mama Nellie"; by many that came in contact with her much later in life. This was a title she wore with distinction and gratitude. On February 18, 1942, she married the late James Charles Wright whom she fondly called "Lump". Two sons came from this union; the late Charles B. and the youngest, Matthews W. Nellie accepted Christ early in life and had been a member of Douglas Memorial Community Church for more than sixty years. She enjoyed her long and lasting Christian relationship with the Reverend Marion C. Bascom, Pastor Emeritus. Nellie had maintained a nearly life-long relationship with Ruth Bailey Brown and through the years gained the love and trust of many close friends and associates. With all that she had to do, she found time to involve herself with civil and voting rights and the need to break the "color lines" in the downtown business district. Her membership in the "Les Femmes" and the "Twenty Women" was filled with charitable work and provided a social outlet. Anyone that knew her was aware that she enjoyed traveling, going out or shopping and when she was called to see if she was available; her famous words were "Give me fifteen minutes!" Left to miss and treasure her precious memory are three children Verna M. Dorsey, Shirley V. Parker, Matthews W. Wright, daughter-in-law Beverly S. Wright, nephew Ronald H. Matthews, 11 grandchildren, 27 great-grandchildren, 28 great-great-grandchildren, 1 great-great-great-grandchild, and a host of loving relatives and dear friends.

Tributes

Nellie M. Wright

May 31, 1909 - February 14, 2005