Mrs. Ada Mae (Knight) Wright was born on a farm in Flower Mound, Texas, during World War I and departed this life in McKinney, Texas, on May 5, 2008. She retired from the McKinney ISD in 1975. She was a faithful "cradle to grave" Presbyterian and an active participant in many areas of the community including Trinity Presbyterian Church McKinney (elder, deacon, teacher, choir, and circle member), Order of the Eastern Star (worthy matron), En Ami Literary Club, Gamma Beta Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma (president), Gaslighters Review Club, and Texas Retired Teachers Association. She moved with her three brothers, four sisters and parents to Lewisville, Texas, in 1918. Mrs. Wright is survived by daughter, Lady Louise and husband Robert Waddell of Arlington, Texas; son Wm. W. (Wes) and wife Kay Wright of Highland Village, Texas; grandsons Ross and Lee Wright; granddaughter Vanessa Harris; and three great grandchildren, Hannah, Haley, and Connor Harris of Lewisville, Texas.
When Ada was in the second grade, her father, having served as a Lewisville constable, was appointed a deputy sheriff of Denton County/city marshal. This was most fortunate for his family as Mr. Knight’s one aim in life was to give each of his eight children a chance for a college education. By moving to the college town of Denton, he was able to provide this educational opportunity. His favorite saying was, "an education is something no one can take away from you!" He was elected chief of police in 1932? During the "Bonnie and Clyde era" and introduced several advanced methods to the department and again served as chief during World War II.
Mrs. Wright graduated from Denton High School in May 1935 and the University of North Texas (then NT Teachers College) in 1938 with a Bachelor of Science degree in education and subsequently achieving a Masters of Education and a library science specialization in 1959. She instilled her father’s educational aspirations in her children who are graduates of Texas Tech University, both achieving post-graduate degrees, and professional licenses and certifications.
She married Mr. Noble Mounts Wright, a Denton native and 1932 UNT graduate, in 1940, prior to their participation in World War II. They were stationed in Enid, Okla., and Montgomery, Ala., with infant daughter Lady Louise prior to his departure overseas in 1942, serving in the U. S. Army in the Pacific Theater. He preceded her in death (April 1956).
The N. M. Wright family moved to McKinney in 1946, when Mr. Wright became a research bacteriologist for the veterans administrations facility in McKinney (now the U. S. Job Corps Center); and she began her 35 years of service in McKinney public schools. She was first a language arts teacher at L. S. Scott Junior High and in 1959 the then, "new" McKinney High School’s (now Faubian Middle School) librarian. Prior to retiring, she helped design the new library addition in the quadrangle. When the "newer" MHS opened in 1976, she decided to retire from her public school career and not move to the new location. She soon began her new career as a loving and supportive grandmother to more than her own.
A celebration of her long and productive life, will take place at 11 a.m. Friday, May 9, 2008, at Charles W. Smith & Sons Funeral Home, 601 S. Tennessee Street, McKinney, with private interment to follow in Flower Mound Presbyterian Cemetery, 1501 Farm to Market Road, Flower Mound, Texas, where her parents are buried.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to the Flower Mound Presbyterian Church. ~ ~ ~ McKinney Courier Gazette, Wednesday, May 7, 2008