Helen Wright

Marion — Helen Wright, age 84, of Marion, IL, passed away Sunday afternoon, May 21, 2017 at Parkway Manor Nursing Home in Marion. Helen was born on July 17, 1932 in West Frankfort, Illinois, the daughter of Eric and Estella (Anderson) McKee. She married Leland Wright in December 1950 and traveled with him while he was in the U.S. Air Force for four years. Helen received a Bachelor of Science in Education in 1959 and her Master of Science in Home Economics in 1961, both from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale. She helped L. Belle Pollard write a book on home economics from 1959-1960 in St. Louis, Missouri. She began her teaching career in Alton, Illinois. She taught 6th grade and home economics in multiple Illinois school districts retiring in Marion, Illinois in 1989 after nearly a 30 year career. She and her husband, Leland, had three boys: Donald, John, and Robert. She was an active member of First Baptist Church of Marion, Illinois. She also helped to start a group called the Southern Illinois Intercessors that went from city to city praying for revival and unity. She had Jesus as her Lord and Savior since she was nine years old and He was a vital part of her life. She loved her family, friends and students. Her life demonstrated the great faithfulness of her Lord. She is survived by her sons, Dr. Donald Wright of Normal, IL and his daughters, Lauren, Lane, and Logan, her son Robert, his wife Jamie and their children, Emma, Olivia, Jacob, and Jillian, and several nieces and cousins. She is preceded in death by her parents, her brothers, Eric and Bill McKee, her son John Wright, and her daughter-in-law Lisa (Parrish) Wright. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, May 25, 2017 at 10am at First Baptist Church in Marion with Dr. Bob Dickerson officiating. Burial will follow at Tower Heights Cemetery in West Frankfort.  Visitation will be on Wednesday, May 24, 2017 from 5pm-8pm at Blue Funeral Home in Marion. For more information or to sign the memorial guest register, please visit bluefuneralhome.com