Mary Katherine Wright

Mary Katherine Wright, 87, of Benton, Arkansas went to be with her Lord July 27, 2019. She was born October 24, 1931 in Huttig, Arkansas to the late William Francis and Allean (Moore) Sims. Mary Kay graduated from Ouachita Baptist College with a BS in Home Economics in 1953. It was there she met her husband and life partner, Joe C. Wright. She lived in Arkadelphia for thirty-two years before moving to Benton in 1998. Mary Kay was a devoted Christian who sang in the church choir, volunteered in church ministries, attended Sunday School, and raised her children in church. She was an artist, owning her own pottery business, Pottery by Mary Kay, and worked as the Hostess/Food Service Coordinator at First Baptist Church in Arkadelphia. Mary Kay's hobbies and interests included sewing, baking, square dancing, art (especially pottery), home decorating, puzzles, music, and entertaining. Mary Kay was skilled in the fading art of conversation. She welcomed all her children's and grandchildren's friends and spouses, nieces and nephews and their children into her heart and into her home. Mary Kay planned and directed countless weddings and wedding receptions. She took classes in gourmet cooking, square dancing, computers, and hand-thrown pottery. Mary Kay was active in the Arkadelphia Band Parents organization. One of the greatest joys of her life were her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Preceding Mary Kay in death are her loving husband of sixty-five years, Joe Carrol Wright; parents, William Francis and Allean (Moore) Sims; brothers, Thomas and Kenneth; and sister, Marie. She leaves behind to cherish her memory her children: Allen Glen Wright and wife Deborah of Benton, Arkansas, Daniel Richard Wright and wife Ellen of St. Louis, Missouri, Cara Jo Smith of Benton, Arkansas, and Harold Wayne Wright and wife Tracey of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; grandchildren: Benjamin, Christopher, Joseph, Claire, Rachel, Phillip, Justin, Katie, Alex, and Cairo; great-grandchildren: Elijah, Charles, Dillon, Michael, and Jason; and many family members and friends who love Mary Kay and will miss her always. Celebration of Life service, officiated by Dr. Rick Grant, will be held Monday, August 5, at Smith-Benton Funeral Home, 322 N. Market Street, Benton, Arkansas. Visitation will be held 10-11 a.m., followed by Memorial service at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers the family requests memorials be made to the Joe C. Wright Chemistry Scholarship at Henderson State University, HSU Foundation, Box 540, Arkadelphia, Ark. 71999-0001. Private burial held at Smith-Rosemont Cemetery. Services entrusted to Smith-Benton Funeral Home. Online guestbook: www.SmithFamilyCares.com.