Rachel S. Wright nee Ambrose

The sun set on the life of Rachel Sullivan Ambrose Wright on March 30, 2026. She died at home where she lived with her partner in crime and daughter, Rachael. She recently celebrated her 84th birthday with two of her favorite things: cake (lovingly made by Kathe) and ice cream (lovingly made by the good people at Breyers). While her last few years were interrupted by Alzheimer’s with vascular dementia, she never lost her sense of who she was and who’s she was.
She started her journey on March 8, 1942, in Norfolk, Virginia. Joining her big brother George, she was the only daughter of Sullivan and Versie (Nelson) Ambrose. Rachel grew up in Norfolk and went to public schools. She graduated from Booker T. Washington High School in 1960 and headed to Virginia State College (now University) in Petersburg, Virginia. While at VSC, she majored in secondary education with a concentration on business office practices (you know, typing, shorthand, bookkeeping, stenography, etc.) and accounting. She worked on campus in the library, sang in and played piano for the college choir and, according to her, learned how to play a mean game of Bid Whist. She was initiated into the Alpha Eta Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. She graduated with honors on June 1, 1964, and five days later married Charles H. Wright on June 6, 1964. She was the proud mother of Rachael Elizabeth, who arrived on the scene a couple of years later. She started her teaching career in DC Public Schools at Eastern High School in 1968 and
If you asked Rachel if she enjoyed being a teacher, her face would light up and she would affirm that, yes, in fact, she loved teaching. For over 30 years she taught high school students during the day and adults at night in Washington, DC. While at Eastern High School, she was appointed the youngest department head at the time at the tender age of 29! She loved being recognized by former students out in the world. She even got out of a traffic ticket because the officer was a former student!
She never met a shoe (or two or three) that she didn’t love. By sheer determination and the fact that she had to feed a child, she became quite a good cook, (despite never previously having an interest in cooking) and she passed the joy of cooking to her daughter. She enjoyed playing her piano and filling the atmosphere of her home with her beautiful second soprano voice.
Her role as a parent was, by her own admission, her most important. So much so that she mentored young parents to be intentional and focused about their jobs as parents. One of her greatest joys was working in the church. She began her life attending and being involved in church and continued as an adult. Mt. Moriah Baptist Church in Washington DC was her church home for over 50 years. (And, oddly enough located right across the street from Eastern High School). Through her work in the church in various ministries (to include the Board of Trustees), she used her gifts, made lifelong friends, and strengthened her Christian walk.
Later in life, she married Oscar Kinsey, Jr. in 2004. He passed away in August 2011, after a short illness. They were a quirky couple who lived in Washington, DC and took joy in calling her daughter (who lived in Illinois at the time) to tell her what her weather would be.
In 2019, she relocated to Indiana to be closer to her daughter. She joined Heritage Community Christian Fellowship and served as a mother of the church.
While it’s difficult to capture an entire life lived in a few paragraphs, she would want you to know that while her journey wasn’t easy or carefree, it was meaningful and full of purpose.
She leaves behind to cherish her memory: her daughter, Rachael Elizabeth (Libby to family) Wright; two nieces Shauneen James (Joel), Kathleen Davis; two nephews George Donelson (Linda), Kenneth Fonville; six great nieces and nephews and five great-great nieces and nephews; bonus son Darryl Kinsey (Deborah).
Her chosen family: Cecelia Clark-Parson (Childhood best friend since junior high), her children (Consuelo, Marshall, Joseph) and their spouses and children. Kimberly Powell (2nd daughter) Marvin Powell (2nd daughter’s husband) and Kaihla Powell (granddaughter stand-in).
She also leaves behind a host of dear friends and loved ones who will also celebrate the life she was.
She was preceded in death by both of her parents, her brother George and sister-in-love Margueree Falls, Husband Oscar Kinsey, Jr., nephew Donald Falls, and “play” niece Lisa Parson.
Special thanks to the incredible and compassionate Monika Lipsey from Care in Motion. Ms. Lipsey served as her Home Care Aid.
In lieu of flowers or gifts, please make a donation of your choosing in her honor to one of the following organizations: Alzheimer’s Association (https://donorservices.alz.org); Dunes Hospice (www.duneshospicellc.com/donate).