Dr. Ella Brown Wright

1953 - 2025

Dr. Ella Brown Wright

June 24, 1953 - May 23, 2025

Doctor Ella Brown Wright was born on June 24, 1953, in Buckingham, Virginia to Ministers Warren Gamaliel Harding Brown, Sr. and Gretchen Hoyt Brown. The fourth of nine children, Mother Wright grew up surrounded by the love, laughter, and occasional chaos of a big family. She was a cherished wife of the Reverend Doctor David Nathaniel Wright, Sr., with whom she shared 36 years of devoted marriage, partnered in life and ministry. Mother Wright served her community through faith, compassion, and an unwavering commitment to the Gospel.

She attended Virginia Commonwealth University ("VCU") where she earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the Medical College of Virginia ("MCV") School of Nursing in 1975, launching a career of compassionate care that touched countless lives. Her passion for teaching and mentorship led her to Virginia State University and pursue a Master's Degree in Education in 1982. Never one to rest on her accomplishments, Ella went on to earn a Ph.D. in Humanities from Nova Southeastern University in 1996, where her research focused on the intersection of ethics, faith, and care. Even in her later years, she continued to grow, obtaining a graduate certificate in Healthcare Compliance from Seton Hall Law School in 2015.

Ella answered God's call to care for others by becoming a nurse, serving patients not only with her hands but with her heart. Ella's professional career spanned an extraordinary 47 years, marked by excellence, leadership, and a deep sense of calling. She began as an operating room nurse at MCV Hospital, where her skill and steady presence quickly earned the respect of peers and physicians alike. She went on to serve as Director of Surgical Services at Richmond Community Hospital, overseeing critical operations with both precision and compassion. Her journey continued at Central State Psychiatric Hospital's Geriatric Treatment Center, where she served as Associate Director of Clinical Services and implemented the first Registered Nurse Psychiatric Geriatric Supervisor Training Program-an initiative that set a new standard for psychiatric elder care. Throughout her career, Ella held key leadership roles in healthcare administration as a Quality Improvement Coordinator for Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield and later as a Clinical Resource Manager at Bon Secours Health, where she contributed to institutional excellence as a member of the Hospital Nursing Professional Standards Committee and the Hospital Quality Assurance Committee. Her final position before retirement was as the Palliative and Hospice Ambulatory Care Manager, where she provided comfort and dignity to patients and families in life's most sacred moments. In addition to her professional work, Ella faithfully served as the Jurisdictional Health Coordinator for the 1st Jurisdiction of the Church of God in Christ, offering guidance, education, and care to churches and communities across the region.

Mother Wright was preceded in death by one brother, Warren G.H. Brown Jr., brother-in-law, Willie Cantrell Jr., and sister-in-law, Sadie Brown.

Ella leaves to cherish her memories and legacy four sons, David Nathaniel Wright Jr., Jonathan Curthbert Wright, Esq. (Diana), Joshua Hickman Wright, and Peter Andrew Wright. Mother Wright was also the proud grandmother of four little blessings, Benjamin Wright, Elijah Wright, Caleb Wright, and Josephine Wright; seven siblings, Dr. Charles E. Brown, Juanita Brown Leatherberry (Daniel), Russell H. Brown (Marita), Joseph L. Brown, Roderick W. Brown, Nancy Brown Smith (Garland) and Valerie Brown Cantrell; a host of nieces, nephews, sister-in-law, Yvonne Brown; spiritual children, and a multitude of loved family, church members, and friends.

A celebration of Mother Wright's life will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, June 7, 2025 at Scott's Chapel, 116 E. Brookland Park Blvd. with visitation beginning at 10:00 AM. Interment Roselawn Memory Gardens.

Memorial donations may be made to her home church, the Community Church of God in Christ, 1801 Park Avenue, Richmond, Virginia 23220.

Though our hearts are heavy, we rejoice that she is now resting in the arms of our loving Savior Jesus Christ, hearing the words, "Well done, good and faithful servant." (Matthew 25:23)

To God be the glory for a life well-lived in service and love. To her, may we all remain indeed, grateful.

Scott's Funeral Home

115 E. Brookland Park Blvd. Richmond, VA 23222