Mildred C.G. Wright

Mrs. Mildred Claiborne Goode Wright departed this life on Friday, Oct. 22, 2010, in Richmond, Va.

She was the eldest daughter of 10 children born to the late Lee P. Goode Sr. and the late Easter E. Goode. She was born on Oct.r 5, 1929, in Petersburg, Va. She graduated from Peabody High School and continued her education of higher learning to obtain several degrees.

Mildred C. Wright, affectionately known as "Mother Wright," was the mother of two children, Jamita Wright of Richmond, Va., and James Wright of Washington, D.C. She is the grandmother of five children, Erica Ishia Penn of Washington, D.C., DeAndre M. Wright (Erica) U.S. Army, Richmond Hill, Ga., Dominique E. Wright of Washington, D.C., Devon J. Wright of Laurel, Md., and Rayvon Medley Wright of Washington, D.C.; two great-grandchildren, Brianna and Derrick, both of Washington, D.C.

Upon her conversion she accepted Jesus Christ as her Savior and was Holy Ghost filled. Mother Wright moved to Washington, D.C., in 1964. She was a member of The Temple of Praise Church, located at 700 Southern Ave. SE, Washington, D.C., Bishop Glen A. Staples, pastor.

Mother Wright was a certified tuberculosis nurse and a registered nurse. She served in administration as a public and private school teacher and Bible instructor at The Bible Way Education Center and the International Bible School Education Worldwide program. She served as an International Altar Worker for Bible Way Worldwide. While at Bible Way Temple, 1100 New Jersey Ave., Washington, D.C., she was a Sunday school teacher. She taught evangelistic training for primary and advanced students at the Bible Way/Wheaton College. She holds a doctorate of ministry degree from the United Theological Seminary, Dayton, Ohio; a master of divinity degree from Howard University, Washington, D.C.; master of arts in education/mental health from University of District of Columbia; and a bachelor of arts in child studies/child psychology from Marymount University.

Bishop Smallwood E. Williams appointed her to organize Sunday morning, New Member's Orientation class and to serve as a Prayer Warrior. She was appointed by Bishop Williams to serve as counselor to the seniors and young people; Social Senior Field Missionary-Evangelist and Church Mother. Mother Wright saw a need for prayer pillows and was lead by the Lord to donate 200 pillows for the prayer chapel in 1974.

Mother Wright hosted a radio ministry program entitled Inspirational-Ministry of Help for radio station WOL-1340. She served as on the Senior Council Community Advisor Committee, 7th District Council Advisory Committee, Spiritual Uplift leader for the Senior Council and Delivery Service, organizer for Seniors on the Move in Washington View Complex, chaplain for DC General Hospital, driving instructor for ages 55 years and over, national speaker and representative for the American Bible Society, mentor to the Youth and Children Ministry, notary public, volunteer for the "Say Yes" program of DC Public Schools and Community Policing Partnership with Chief Ramsey of the Metropolitan Police Department.

Mother Wright received numerous awards including, Who's Who in America-International Colleges and University Honor Award, Women of the Year Award 1989 and Outstanding Chaplin of the Year Award 1994.

She has traveled extensively which included, evangelistic tour to Seoul, Korea. She traveled with the doctorial program for the School of Evangelism, United Theological Seminary. She has ministered in various other cities throughout the United States.

She was preceded in death by a sister, Mary Jane Greer, and three brothers, Lee P. Goode Jr., Robert Goode and Phillip Goode.

She leaves to cherish her memories, two sisters, Joyce Haynes (Bob) Higginsville, Mo., and Gloria High, Spring, Texas; three brothers, Samuel Goode (Bess), Reynoldsburg, Ohio, Joseph Goode of Petersburg, Va., and Henry Goode; the Ellison-Allison Family of North Carolina; a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends from the Virginia, Washington, D.C., Maryland, North Carolina, Missouri, Ohio, Georgia, Texas, Connecticut, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Vermont.

A funeral service will be held 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 30, 2010, at Tabernacle Baptist Church, 418 Halifax St., Petersburg, Va.; the Rev. Dr. Robert A. Diggs Sr., pastor; Apostle Travis Thigpen, eulogist and the Rev. Daylan K. Greer, officiating. The interment to follow at Eastview Cemetery.

The family will received friends from 7 to 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 29, 2010, at the funeral establishment.

Family members and friends are invited to pay final tribute to Mrs. Wright online at www.jmwilkersonsince1874.com where you may view a video tribute online or at the establishment.

Funeral arrangements entrusted to the staff of J.M. Wilkerson Funeral Establishment Inc., 102 South Ave., Petersburg, Va., (804) 732-8911, www.jmwilkersonsince1874.com.