Bettie B. Wright

Bettie Benner Wright of Elmcroft Assisted Living in Southern Pines, formerly of Raeford, died Tuesday, May 8, 2018 at FirstHealth Hospice in Pinehurst at the age of 87. 
She was born on April 25, 1931 to the late Claude J. Benner, Sr. and Bevie Corbett Benner. She was married to Daniel M. Wright for 63 years. He preceded her in death in 2013. She is also preceded in death by her sister, Janice Benner. 
She was born in Moore County. The family moved to Raeford in 1941. She graduated from Hoke High School in 1949. She was a member of the First Baptist Church where she served as assistant organist while in high school. She attended Wake Forest College for one year. After her marriage in 1950, she attended the Raeford Evangelical Methodist Church and served in several capacities including Sunday School teacher, youth worker, pianist and choir director for many years. She was employed with Burlington Industries, Southern National Bank and McPhaul’s Office Business Company. She later completed her education at Pembroke State University in 1970, graduating Magna Cum Laude with a B.S. degree in Elementary Education. She taught in the Cumberland County School System for 20 years. 
She is survived by her children, Katharine W. Warner (James) of Raeford, John M. Wright (Deborah) of Aberdeen, and the Rev. Thomas T. Wright (Tammy) of Lincolnton; a sister, Ina Freeman (Don) of Pensacola, Florida; a brother, the Rev. C. J. Benner (Linda) of Raleigh; a sister-in-law, Rachel Dees of Raeford; five grandchildren, Jamie D. Warner, Matthew Wright (Sara), Nathan Wright (Janey), Chelsi W. Call (Jon), and Jordan Wright (Madison); and four great-grandchildren, Jeremiah Wright, Anira Wright, Molly Wright, and Jonah Wright. 
A visitation will be held 1-2 p.m. Friday, May 11, 2018 at the Raeford Evangelical Methodist Church, 379 West Palmer Street, Raeford. The funeral will follow at 2 p.m. with the Rev. Roger Burns officiating. 
Memorials may be made to: Raeford Evangelical Methodist Church, Building Fund, PO Box 1863, Raeford, NC 28326: FirstHealth Hospice & Palliative Care, 251Campground Road, West End, NC 27376 or Boys & Girls Home of NC, PO Box 127, Lake Waccamaw, NC 28450. 
Online condolences may be made at www.crumplerfuneralhome.com.