Darwin Henry Wright

ANDERSON - Mr. Darwin Henry Wright, age 85, former mayor of Anderson, SC, and husband of Lillian Speares Wright of 1618 Sandy Hollowm died Sunday, February 8, 2009, in AnMed Health Medical Center.

Born in Anderson, March 30, 1923, Mr. Wright was a son of the late Henry Witherspoon Wright and the late Julia Elizabeth Edmonds Wright. He retired as president of Ramseur Oil Company. Mr. Wright served the City of Anderson for a total of 38 years. He was on City Council from 1960 until 1972 and served as mayor of Anderson from 1972 until he retired in 1998. He served on the boards of numerous civic and community groups, was on the Appalachian Council of Government, was a recipient of the South Carolina Order of the Palmetto and was a member of Hiram Masonic Lodge. He was a member of Concord Baptist Church and was a former longtime member of Garner Memorial Baptist Church where he was active as long as his health permitted, serving as a deacon and as Sunday School superintendent.

He was survived by his wife of 66 years, Lillian Speares Wright of the home; a daughter, Beth McConnell and her husband, Derrill, Anderson; three grandchildren: Lisa C. McConnell, Piedmont, Rev. D. Chad McConnell and his wife, Misty, Arlington, Texas, Dr. John W. McConnell, Greenville; a great-grandson, Grant Wright McConnell, Arlington, Texas; a sister, Vivian W. Johnson, Greenwood; and a sister-in-law, Vivian W. Wright, Anderson.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, William T. Wright, and three sisters, Evelyn W. Fountain, Camilla W. Hale and Myra W. McAlister.

The funeral service will be Wednesday, February 11, 2009, at 4:00 p.m. at Concord Baptist Church with Rev. D. Chad McConnell, Dr. Don Cox and Rev. Bob Marcaurelle officiating. Honorary escort will be present and former City of Anderson employees who worked during Mr. Wright’s administration and the men’s Sunday School class of Concord Baptist Church. Interment will follow in Forest Lawn Memorial Park.

The family will receive friends at McDougald Funeral Home Tuesday, February 10, 2009, from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m.

The family will be at the home, 1618 Sandy Hollow, Anderson, SC.

The family respectfully request that flowers be omitted and memorials be sent in Mr. Wright’s name to Concord Baptist Church, 1012 Concord Road, Anderson, SC 29621 or to Hospice of the Upstate, 1835 Rogers Road, Anderson, SC 29621.

An online message of condolence may be sent to the family by visiting www.mcdougaldfuneralhome.com.

The McDougald Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.