Pastor Mabel C. Wright

Mabel C. Wright, 78, transitioned from earth to glory on Wednesday, October 30, 2025 with her family singing by her bedside. Her last words were, "I love you". She was born in Ahoskie, N.C., on August 26, 1947, to the late George A. Parker Sr. and Sallie P. Parker, and was preceded in death by her sister, Barbara A. Parker.
Mabel's life journey began in Ahoskie, N.C., where she lived with her parents and two younger sisters. In the process of time, her father obtained employment with Newport News Shipyard and moved the family to Newport News, Virginia where she attended Dunbar elementary school. Her father purchased a home, and he moved his family to Hampton, VA. Mabel attended Hampton City Schools and graduated from Phoenix High School. After high school she completed one year of college then obtained employment with Teledyne Hastings Raydist.
Mabel's mother met Sister Helen McNeil who shared the good news of the gospel. Her dad joined Church of Jesus on Kecougtan Road, where the pastor was the late Doctor Merlin Ford Sr. At the age of twelve, while attending a revival, the message seemed to be talking directly to her. Tears began to fall from her eyes as she realized her need for a savior. She walked down the aisle and committed her life to Christ. She was baptized in the name of Jesus, and received the gift of the Holy Spirit. Mabel's dad became the church pianist.
He taught his daughters various gospel songs and thus the Parker Gospel singers were born. Mabel became the lead singer and their manager. The Parker Gospel Singers traveled across the Peninsula and North Carolina singing songs of praise to include, "Sweeping Through the City", "Searching", "I Made A Vow", "Rough Side of The Mountain", "The Spirit of the Lord Saved Me", "Packing Up Getting Ready to Go", and many more.
Mabel met William Scales at a revival where he was the guest speaker and the Parker Gospel Singers were the guest singers. A courtship ensued. In the process of time the two were married. They were blessed with three children, Felicia Harrington, LaVenia Liggins, and John D. Scales Sr. William Scales joined the United States Army. After he returned from the Vietnam War, the family moved to Stuttgart, Germany. While in Germany, Mabel held an International Fellowship, where people of all nationalities and tongues came together in one place to worship the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, and proclaim the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
After returning to the United States, the family moved to Colorado Springs, Colorado. Mabel joined The Gospel Chapel where she formed the very first Children's Choir. The Angel Choir traveled throughout Colorado Springs, Colorado and Denver, Colorado singing songs to include, "God Gave Me A Song" by Myrna Summers, and many more. Mabel had a major impact on the lives of the young people. Many of whom have shared how her influence changed the course of their life.
After many years of serving faithfully at the Gospel Chapel, she was led to join Christ Temple in Colorado Springs, Colorado, where the Pastor was Elder Ingram. She worked diligently forming the church choir, as a Sunday School teacher, on the program committee, and was eventually licensed in the ministry. Mabel enjoyed fellowshipping with the saints and spending time with her children fishing.
After many years together, her marriage to William came to an end. Mabel and William remained friends and she never spoke negatively to her children about their dad. She encouraged them to love and respect him. She did not just say it, she demonstrated it in her interactions and friendship towards him.
Mabel and her children moved back to Virginia. Mabel returned to Teledyne Hasting Raydist as an electronic assembler. While there, she was instrumental in helping many others secure full time employment with benefits. After thirty years of service and an excellent work ethic, Mabel retired from Teledyne in 2011 and began enjoying freedom from an alarm clock.
She joined United Bible Way Temple under the leadership of the late Pastor Linwood Stokes. She began singing with the Gospel Chorus and joined the missionary board, and was ordained in the ministry. After many faithful years of service at United Bible Way Temple, Mabel launched Faith for Deliverance Outreach Ministry. The church was known for community outreach, youth ministry, youth plays, youth choir, discipleship programs, and bible study. Mabel enjoyed leading praise and worship, preaching the good news of the gospel, praying, bringing souls to Christ, spending time with her family, going to Busch Gardens, riding roller coasters, blasting gospel music in her van, cooking large meals, reading, fishing, and telling her family she loved them.
In 1981, Mabel married Joseph E. Wright Sr. They were blessed with two children, Joseph E. Wright, III, and Mabel LaToya Wright. They remained together for over 30-years until the Lord called Joseph home.
Mabel leaves to cherish her memory three sisters, Ruthann Council, North Carolina, Jacqueline Johnson, (Joe), North Carolina, and Patrica Silver, (Joel), Newport News, VA. One brother, George A. Parker, Jr., (Annie) Isle of Wight, VA. Five children, Felicia Harrington, (James), Newport News, VA, LaVenia Liggins, Newport News, VA, John Scales, Sr., (Kenyat), Joseph E. Wright, III, Chesapeake, VA, and Mabel Latoya Wright, Norfolk, VA. Two stepchildren, Melissa Wright, (Brian), Waldorf, MD, and Joseph Wright Jr., (Tara), Williamsburg, VA. Eighteen grandchildren, to include Wendell Cobbs Jr, James Cobbs, James Harrington, III., Dajaun Wright, Datwon Cox, and Nahjae' Liggins, and 16 great-grandchildren.
Matthew 25:23 "Well done, good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will set thee over many things; enter thou into the joy of thy Lord." AVS
It is the desire of the Wright family that you keep them in your thoughts and prayers.
The family of Pastor Mabel C. Wright has entrusted her final care to C. C. Carter Funeral Home.
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