Published: August 16, 2008 02:57 pm      

Helen E. Poston-Wright

Helen E. Poston-Wright died Monday, July 28, 2008, in Plantation, Fla.

Memorial services were held in Florida. Arrangements were under the direction of All County Funeral Home and Crematory.

Born Jan. 27, 1919, in McAlester, she was the daughter of H.A.G. and Pearl Johnson, who were some of the first black settlers in McAlester. She attended McAlester schools, graduating from L’Ouverture High School in 1935. She attended Langston University for three years, majoring in home economics. Later she attended and graduated from Cosmetology School with her sisters, and became well known beauticians in the community. She retired from GSA after 18 years of service.

She married William Wardell Wright in July 1942, and he preceded her in death on May 13, 1973. She was a member of East Star Baptist Church and later became a Sunday school teacher and choir member. She sometimes played the piano. She was very active in the church.

She and her husband moved to Kansas City, Mo., where she joined South Side Baptist Church and later Travelers Rest Baptist Church, where she sang in the choir and later directed the choir. She also taught Sunday school, served as deaconess and president of the Women’s National Baptist Convention, was an Eastern Star, a member of the American Legion and NAACP.

In April and June of 1964, she and her husband adopted one son and two daughters.

In 1982 she moved back to McAlester and remained active in East Star Baptist Church until her health began to fail. Due to her failing health, she moved to Florida to be with her son and daughter-in-law.

Survivors include Bo (Butch) Ajala, and his wife, Valerie, Pembrook Pines, Fla.; Brenda and Shelia Williams, Kansas City, Mo.; special daughters, Eddye Helen Barre, of Tulsa, and Irene Coco-Bell, Raymore, Mo.

Also, niece, Van Rita Brown, Fresno, Calif.; grandchildren, Donnell, Daniece, Christina, Talishe, Wardell Wright Jr., Penni Ajala, Nason Swopes, Sis B. Rayford-Williams, Adrian and Anthony Mooley.

And, great-nieces, Lynell Caldwell, Kansas City, Earline Morris and Cynthia Hebron, of California; great-nephews, Paul and Terry Hebron, of California, and Kenneth Raymond, Pembrook Pines, Fla., and five great-great-grandchildren and numerous friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; three brothers, Robert, Nathaniel, and Manuel, and three sisters, Sadie, Hortense, and Thelma.