Joseph Anderson Wright
Class of 1939

Joseph Anderson Wright, Sr.

May 25, 1919 - July 4, 2014

Joseph Anderson Wright, Sr., 95, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his family. He is preceded in death by the love of his life, Lanier, to whom he was married for 70 years; his parents, John A. Wright and Ethel P. Kayton Falls; and his three sisters, Mary Orbin, Pearl King, and Ethel Fox.

Left to cherish his memory are his son, Joseph Anderson Wright, Jr.; daughter, Malinda W. Wright-Kovacs; daughter-in-law, Sheila A. Wright; grandchildren, Jennifer H. Myers, Josef A. Kovacs, Lauren N. Wright, Jason E. Kovacs and Caitlin R. W. Reinhart; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Joe was born in Portsmouth, VA and raised in the mountains of Virginia. He met his wife in Norfolk and served in WWII stateside in California. He worked several years as a police officer in the old Norfolk County (now Chesapeake) and later went to work for the Norfolk Naval Shipyard where he retired as a detective. Joe just recently received a plaque for his 50 years of outstanding and dedicated service to the Police Association of Virginia. Joe was a member of Simonsdale Presbyterian Church in Portsmouth.

Joe enjoyed fishing and also had a tremendous passion for real estate and building. He built 3 of the family homes, numerous pieces of furniture, and other assorted wooden items that adorn his families' homes. He was a craftsman and a perfectionist with his work.

Family and friends will gather for visitation Wednesday, July 9, from 7 - 8:30 p.m. in Sturtevant Funeral Home, 5201 Portsmouth Blvd, Portsmouth, VA. A service celebrating Joe’s life will be held in the funeral home chapel on Thursday at 11 a.m. with Rev. Martha Mitchell officiating. Burial will follow in Olive Branch Cemetery.
www.SturtevantFuneralHome.com