Carrie Novella (Lilly) Wright

“It is sad to part with those we love while here on earth we stay: but then brighter thought comes; we will meet again someday”.

Carrie Novella Lilly Wright was born May 10,1920 in Rockingham, Richmond County, North Carolina to the late Annie Parker and Horace Lilly. Carrie, or Novella, as she was called by family and childhood friends, departed this life peacefully on November 15,2016 at Forestville Health and Rehabilitation Center, Forestville, Maryland. She was a loving wife, devoted sister, caring aunt, wonderful friend and a Christian woman with a passion for education.

At an early age Carrie joined Lee A.M. E. Zion Church, Rockingham, North Carolina.

After completion of high school, Carrie moved to Virginia where she worked to earn money for college. She attended Winston-Salem Teachers College, now Winston-Salem State University, graduating in 1946 with a degree in education. On December 23, 1946, she married her longtime friend and sweetheart, Willie R. Wright, of Ellerbe, North Carolina who had just come home from World War II. This was a marriage that would last for forty-nine years until his death in 1996. Willie went to Greensboro to A & T College; and Carrie went to Gibson, North, Carolina to work in her first teaching position. While her husband went back to school, she also updated her teaching certificate in graduate school. In 1961 Carrie received a Master’s Degree in Education from A & T State University. She was employed by the Greensboro City Schools and later Guilford County School System until her retirement.

After retiring, Carrie joined the daytime Bible Study Class at trinity A.M.E. Zion and was a member of the Deaconess Board, Stewardess Board #1, Life member Council, Lay Council and the Birthday Calendar Club. She was involved in community and professional organizations including the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), American Association for Retired Persons, AARP, North Carolina Association of Educators(NCAE) and the National Education Association (NEA).

She leaves to cherish her memory: a devoted niece, Opal Lilly (Karle) Crawford, Suitland, MD; sisters-in-law: Georgeva G. Wright, Lumberton, NC and Edna M. Wright, High Point, NC; god-grandchildren: George T. (Geordi) Glenn, III, Jonathan M. Glenn and Mari M. Tate; dear friends: Michelle Linster and George T. Glenn, II; a host of loving nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

The blow was hard, the shock severe

We never knew her death was so near.

So only those who have lost her can tell,

The pain of parting without farewell.

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