Mr. Clarence Edward Wright, Jr.

A Rare Breed of a man, that went all in. He always kept his word and gave his all, always going the extra mile for all those projects and people he cared for. Oftentimes never receiving thanks or recognition, nor the same passion or effort in return, yet he never changed but continued to give his all until he was called home. That was my Butch. Clarence Edward “Butch” Wright, Jr., although he left me so suddenly and unexpectedly, I thank God for the 40 plus years we had together. He joined, was baptized and attended Madison Light Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of the late great Pastor R. B. Bland. “Butch”, as most called him, came here from Roanoke, VA via Atlanta, GA. Seeing so much potential in the Delta, and that people here were not given the opportunities or monies that other places received, he began formulating a plan. After much discussion with the Save the Children Federation officials out of Connecticut, he asked to be sent here. The eldest son of four children, he was preceded in death by his sister, Jacqueline Wright Slade of Danville, VA and his parents. His dad, Clarence Edward “Ed” Wright Sr., who was a well-known trombone player with the Aristocrats Orchestra. His mom, Arnesia Wise Wright, was known for teaching the kids tennis in the community. One of her more famous tutees was Arthur Ashe. She taught Butch and his brother, Steven, so well that they received scholarships to Arkansas AM&N College, (now UAPB) Pine Bluff, AR. This was during a time when it was a rarity to see Black tennis players. He went on to finish for AM&N and became a history teacher briefly. But realizing his passion was people, he changed directions and began a career of service, making a difference in the lives of others. He attended Haverford College, Haverford, PA for a fifth year of post-baccalaureate study, and graduate school at the University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA. Butch was a Woodrow Wilson Fellowship recipient. An unassuming person whose mind was constantly thinking and planning, Butch brought the Arkansas Delta Project (field office of the international Save the Children Project) that started in a two-story framed house in Madison, AR in 1979. Arkansas Land and Farm Development Corporation (ALFDC) in Brinkley, AR, Boys, Girls, Adults Community Development Center of Marvell, AR (BGADC), Gurdon Development Inc., Home Instruction for Pre-School Youngsters Program in Madison, AR (HIPPY), Arkansas Delta Housing/Self Help Project of Forrest City were all started by him. He motivated and hired local folk to work and head up the projects. He didn’t just stop at thinking and planning, Butch put the ideas in motion. He was that Rare Breed. There is a saying, “Be the change you want to see.” Clarence Wright Jr. was that change. He is survived by his wife, Peggy Robinson-Wright; two sons, Kevin J. (Marion) Wright of Atlanta, GA; Steven Charles (Erica) Wright of Jacksonville, FL; daughter, Kelley York, Atlanta, GA; Christopher D. (Constance) Chatters, Bonaire, GA; Calandra (Henry) Henderson, Forrest City, AR; and Carmillia L. Chatters, Forrest City, AR; one brother, Steven Wise (Mary) Wright, Charlottesville, VA; one sister, Joyce Wright White, Roanoke, VA: thirteen grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren; one brother-in-law: Charles L. (Lola) Robinson, Ocala, FL; two sisters in law: Emily R. Holley, Forrest City, AR; Antoinette (Donell) Pelt, Toney, AL; several nieces, nephews, friends and former coworkers. I ask each of you as we celebrate his life to remember Shirley Caesar’s song: “May the Works I’ve Done Speak for Me”, When I’m resting in my grave, there is nothing that can be said, may the works I’ve done speak for me.

Mr. Clarence Edward Wright, Jr.

August 11, 1944 - April 13, 2024