Lillian Frances Wright

Lillian Frances Bruyere Wright Lillian Wright was born to Horace Albert Bruyere and Myrtle Watkins Daniel Bruyere in Waco, Texas, August 3, 1909, and passed away in Abilene, Texas, October 31, 2007. Lillian graduated from high school in Waco and attended Baylor University where she was named a Baylor Beauty. She married William Parker Wright, November 30, 1929, and they celebrated fifty-six years of marriage before his death in 1985. A devoted member of First Baptist Church for over seventy years, Lillian taught a Sunday School class for five year old children for many years, enjoyed singing in the Majestic Sounds Choir and was active in the Woman's Missionary Union of the church and her own Sunday School class. She was active in the formation of GLO, the church's day care ministry, and served on its board. She was a member of the Abilene Woman's Club, the West Texas Photographic Society and the Abilene Garden Club. For many years she volunteered her services as a "Pink Lady" for the Hendrick Medical Center Auxiliary. She was a Brownie and Girl Scout leader, Area Coordinator for the West Texas Girl Scout Council, a Cub Scout leader and assisted her husband, "Dub" Wright, in supporting many local civic activities, including those with Dyess Air Force Base, Camp Barkeley, Hardin-Simmons University and the Abilene Chamber of Commerce. Lillian was an artist and photographer, traveling with her family to many locations around the world. She loved nature and taught her children respect for God's world, spending many hours in search of birds' nests, rocks and fossils. She permitted her children to have a wide variety of pets including snakes, skunks, chickens, hamsters, guinea pigs, and, of course, always a dog. She was a committed teacher, ensuring that her children and grandchildren were exposed to positive experiences in art and music which she loved. Also, she was a wonderful homemaker with a wide circle of friends. In addition to her husband and her parents, Lillian was preceded in death by her sisters, Mabel Winton, Evelyn Bruyere, Dorothy Crews and Florence Pope. Also preceding her were her only brother, Horace Bruyere, Jr., and her grandson, David Parker Wright. She is survived by her son, William P. (Bill) Wright and wife, Alice, of Abilene, two daughters, Gayle Gray and husband, Robert, of Abilene and Linda Abel and husband, Grover, of Houston. Additional survivors are grandchildren, Alison Wright Peeler, Mitchell Wright, Christopher Abel, Jeffrey Abel, Suzanne Cook Taylor, Trey Cook, Stephen Cook and fifteen great-grandchildren. She is also survived by step-grandchildren Mark Gray and Elizabeth Gray Doughty and their three children. Her family wishes to express appreciation for the care and support Lillian received during her later years from Sears Methodist Center, Hendrick Hospice Care and especially her most faithful and competent caregiver and friend, Lydia Guerrero. The family will receive friends at 1415 Tanglewood on Friday, November 16, from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. A memorial service will be held at First Baptist Church, Saturday, November 17, at 11:00 a.m., following the private family graveside service. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial gifts may be made to GLO Daycare at First Baptist Church, P.O. Box 85, Abilene, TX 79604, or the Lillian and W.P. Wright Scholarship Fund at the Community Foundation of Abilene, P.O. Box 1001, Abilene, TX 79604. The scholarship benefits Dyess AFB personnel attending Hardin-Simmons University.