Pamela Sue Wright

CARBONDALE - Pamela Sue Wright passed away on July 14 in Lockport, after a four-year battle with mesothelioma. She was born on Oct. 3, 1947, in Centralia, the daughter of Louie C. Piper and Freida (Ferguson) Piper. She grew up in Woodlawn. She married William E. Wright on Aug. 15, 1970, and they have made their home in Carbondale since then. She had one son, Nathan Wright, of Lockport. She is survived by her husband and son, her daughter-in-law Alicia Wright and granddaughters Celia Wright and Emeline Wright of Lockport, her sister Janis Hampton of Belleville, brother-in-law John (Donna) Wright of Mission Viejo, CA, sister-in-law Carol Wright of Ames, IA, and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents and three brothers-in-law. Pam was an elementary school teacher for 30 years, teaching several grade levels but mostly fifth and sixth grade science. She taught one year in Mt. Vernon, seven years at Unity Point, and 22 years in Carterville. She was honored as a Heartlands Best Teacher in 1999. She retired in 2003, amazing and amusing several fellow teachers by doing a cartwheel down the hall. Pam obtained a B.S. degree in Education from SIU in 1969 and an M.S. degree in Education in 1971. Pam belonged at times to many organizations, including SIU Women's Club, SIU Faculty Club, the First United Methodist Church, PEO, Carbondale Garden Club, and Carterville Garden Club. She was a volunteer for Arts in Celebration and served on the Carbondale Science Center Board. She played in the John A. Logan Band and the Swinging Seniors Jazz Band. She served as President of the SIU Women's Club and CCHS Athletic Booster Club. Pam was an avid SIU sports fan and booster. She was also actively involved in youth baseball and soccer for many years. Her hobbies included gardening, hiking, bird watching, playing the saxophone, painting, and aquatic exercise. She loved to travel and visited all 50 states and almost 50 foreign countries. Pam spent a lifetime being kind and friendly to everyone she met, and this extraordinary friendliness will be forever remembered by all who knew her. Funeral services will be Thursday, July 19, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. at First United Methodist Church, Carbondale, with Rev. Alan Rhein officiating. Visitation will be Wednesday, July 18, 2012 from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Meredith Funeral Home, Carbondale. Interment will be at Oakland Cemetery in Carbondale. Memorial contributions in her name may be made to the First United Methodist Church in Carbondale.



Service:



11:00 a.m. Thursday, July 19, 2012



First United Methodist Church Carbondale, IL







Visitation:



5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Wednesday, July 18, 2012



Meredith Funeral Home Carbondale, IL