Haynes JJ Wright, age 88, passed away on Monday, May 21, 2012 at NHC HealthCare in Bristol, VA.
Born to the late Allen Jesse Wright and Girdie Bell McEwen Wright at the home in Crandull, Johnson County, Tennessee Haynes was raised on a Century Farm the youngest of seven children. Haynes worked his way through college earning a bachelor's degree from East Tennessee State University. He served as a health inspector for the Virginia State Health Department from 1951-1985. Following his retirement Mr. Wright served as a social worker for the Washington County Fuel Assistance Program. Mr. Wright bought and operated his own pioneer century farm on Old Jonesboro Road in Bristol Va. from 1955 until 2007 making both a home and business there with his wife Dr. Nellie Ray Wright. The Wrights were active members of both Central Presbyterian and Sinking Spring Presbyterian Churches. Haynes served as Deacon and Elder at church and they were welcome hosts to foreign exchange students at their home through the Educational Foundation. Dedicated to service in his career and church his civic activities included both Jaycees and Kiwanis Club as well. Upon retirement Haynes and Nellie found time to travel worldwide and became officers of the Shoun Family Association and were active in the Johnson County Historical Society.
He is preceded in death by his wife of 43 years, Dr. Nellie Ray Dorsey Wright; two brothers, Kyle Wright and Walter Preston Wright; and two sisters, Retha McKee and Ruth Douglas.
He is survived by his two sons, David Haynes Wright and wife Sarah of Adelaide, Australia and John McEwen Wright of Charleston, SC; two sisters, Letha Sluder and Ruby Testerman; and four grandchildren, Isaac Haynes Wright, Jonathan James Wright, Eleanor Caroline Wright, and Abigail Mae Wright.
The funeral service will be held at 6:00 p.m., Saturday, May 26, 2012 at Sinking Spring Presbyterian Church with Rev. Tim Reynolds officiating. The family will receive friends from 5:00-6:00 p.m., Saturday, May 26, 2012 at the church. A committal service will be held at 9:00 a.m., Sunday, May 27, 2012 at Forest Hills Memory Gardens. Honorary pallbearers will be Michael Testerman, Dennis Testerman, Herbert Sluder, Kenneth Sluder, and Alton Sluder, and Sam Rock.
Those wishing to express sympathy online may do so by visiting www.farrisfuneralservice.com and signing the online guestbook.
The Wright family is being cared for by Farris Funeral Service and Crematory, 427 East Main Street, Abingdon, VA 24210 (276-623-2700)