Mary Ann Wright

Mary Ann Wright, age 86, a lifelong resident of Rockwood, Tennessee, departed this life and entered into eternal rest with her Heavenly Father on January 3, 2026.

Mary Ann was born on December 3, 1939, in Rockwood, Tennessee. She was a graduate of J.L. Cook High School in Athens, Tennessee, and later graduated from Draughons College of Business in Knoxville, Tennessee. Mary Ann was employed for many years as an Administrative Assistant with Kaiser Roth Hosiery Mill in Rockwood, Tennessee. She later worked at TVA Watts Bar Nuclear Plant as a Personnel Security Specialist, from which she retired.

Mary Ann gave her life to the Lord at the early age of ten and remained a faithful servant throughout her life. She was a dedicated member of Mount Olive Missionary Baptist Church in Loudon, Tennessee, where she sang in the choir. She later became a devoted member of Speights Chapel A.M.E. Zion Church in Rockwood, Tennessee. Over the years, she faithfully served in numerous capacities including Maryville District Superintendent of the Buds of Promise; member of the Missionary Society and Christian Education Department; Youth Bible Teacher; Youth and Adult Sunday School Teacher; founder of Speights Chapel’s first Youth Choir; Adult Choir Director; Church Secretary and Reporter; and Maryville District A.M.E. Zion Secretary.

Mary Ann was also a former member of the God-Filled Roane County Community Chorus, the Susan G. Komen Cancer Society, the American Cancer Society Reach to Recovery of Knoxville, Tennessee, the Roane County Chapter of the NAACP, and the National Council of Negro Women, Inc.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Virgil F. Hardy and Jessie C. Love Hardy; her husband, Henry T. Wright; her son, James Darrell; brothers Clyde Hardy, William F. Hardy, and Charles E. Hardy (Clara); sisters Jannette P. Eskridge and Shirley R. Martin (Carl); and grandsons Gordon Wells, Isiah Jones, and Darryl Miller.

Those left to cherish her loving memory include her son, Jeffery T. Wright (Kayla) of Rockwood, Tennessee; a special grandson whom she raised as her son, Zackery Wright (Jasmine) of Knoxville, Tennessee; daughters Janice Christian (Scott) of Evansville, Indiana; Janet Jones (Richard) of Oak Ridge, Tennessee; Cynthia Wright of Rockwood, Tennessee; Teneka Thompson of Austin, Texas; Jennifer Lankford (Leo) of Chattanooga, Tennessee; and Gail Wells of Pontiac, Michigan; brother Thomas Hardy (Brenda) of Loudon, Tennessee; sisters Waltrine Hardy of Rockwood, Tennessee, and Sharon Flemming (Elmer) of Knoxville, Tennessee.

She also leaves to cherish her memory her grandchildren: Amanda Martin (Josh), Tevin Springs, Jalen Miller (Tamara), Laquisha Thompson, E.J. Thompson, Emily Thompson, Ashton Lankford, Kierstin Lankford, Avery Lankford, Thomas Wright, Carter Wright, and Savannah Wright; great-grandchildren Maliyah Miller; Kinsley Jett; Eleanor Jett; Pearson Martin; Jalen Miller, Jr.; Amir Miller; Roman Miller; Lyric Miller; Kisiah Jones; and Royal Miller; and one great-great-granddaughter, Nora Eliane Wright.

She is also survived by her brothers- and sisters-in-law Johnny Wright (Marilyn) of Aurora, Colorado; Cecelia Golden and Wilma Howard of Rock Island, Illinois; and Kate Wright of Indianapolis, Indiana; along with a host of devoted nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

The family will receive friends on Saturday, January 10, 2026, from 11:00 am - 1:00 pm ET at Evans Mortuary in Rockwood. Funeral service will follow at 1:00 pm ET with Pastor Beatrice Thomas & Rev. Candice Dendy officiating. Graveside and interment services will follow in the Oak Grove Cemetery in Rockwood, TN. Evans Mortuary is serving the family of Mary Ann Wright.