Kathryn Wright Elder

ELDER, Kathryn Wright, 66, of Petersburg, died Friday, January 30, 2009 surrounded by her family after a courageous battle with MS for over 34 years. She was a native of Petersburg born the daughter of the late Augustus and Louise Wright. Kathie was a member of Christ & Grace Episcopal Church, a co-founder of the Petersburg Chapter of the MS Society in 1975, and helped with the American Cancer Society. She also enjoyed visiting residents in local nursing homes, especially the Petersburg Home for Ladies. She is survived by her loving and devoted husband, Ronald T. Elder Sr.; two sons, R. Thomas Elder Jr and his wife, Sonyia, and Charles A. Elder and his girlfriend, Penny; three grandchildren, Brett, Jake, and Kailey Elder; a sister, Elizabeth Ann Tucker and husband, Larry; a brother, Cleveland A. Wright and wife, Suzanne; and her best friend and caretaker, Gail Evans. She was also preceded in death by her sister, Sallie W. Harrison. The family will receive friends Monday, February 2, at the Petersburg Chapel of J.T. Morriss & Son Funeral Home & Cremation Service, from 6 to 8 p.m. A funeral service will be held on Tuesday at 11 a.m. at Christ & Grace Episcopal Church with Rev. David Teschner and Rev. Boston Lackey officiating. Interment will follow in Blandford Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to Christ & Grace Church for Christmas Outreach, 1545 S. Sycamore St., Petersburg, Va., 23805; or the Petersburg Home For Ladies Activities Fund, 311 S. Jefferson St., Petersburg, Va. 23803; or the Central Virginia Chapter of the MS Society, 2112 W. Laburnum Ave., Suite 204, Richmond, Va. 23227. Condolences may be registered at www.jtmorriss.com.


This obituary was originally published in the Richmond Times-Dispatch.