Oweta Joy Wright, born July 21, 1936, passed away peacefully on August 12, 2026, in Garland, TX.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 pm Sunday, August 16, 2026, at Claybar Funeral Home in Orange, Texas. A private burial will be at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens near Bridge City.
Visitation time will be held prior to the service, beginning at 1:00 pm Sunday, also at the funeral home in Orange.
Oweta had a deep love for playing games, often found enjoying POGO, Mexican Train, and Skyjo on her computer. Her musical talents shone through her many years as a piano player at her church. She also shared her gift of music by playing the piano and singing in a quartet alongside her beloved husband, Narrel. After Narrel’s passing, Oweta dedicated her time to working at Builders Mart and later at Parkers. She was known for her loving nature as a mother and grandmother, and her compassionate spirit extended to her role as a caregiver, where she cherished taking care of children. She was a wonderful seamstress who found great joy in creating beautiful things for those she loved. She lovingly made clothes for her children, as well as dresses for weddings.
Oweta was preceded in death by her husband, Narrel Wright; her parents, Lawson and Mary Jo (Day) Emmons; her daughters, Debra Shorten and Katrina Wright; her grandson, Robert Alan Beard; her brothers, Robin Emmons and his wife Hachey, and Davy Emmons; her sister-in-law, PearlAnn Emmons; and her brother-in-law, Jackie Harris.
She is survived by her children, Keith Wright and wife Gwen, Dawanna Tharpe, Kyle Wright and wife Robin; her son-in-law, Bryan Shorten; and her “adopted” daughter, Marlena Merrell. Her legacy continues through her numerous grandchildren: Charles Wright, Angela Wright, Aaron Wright, Jonathan Wright, Amanda Sites, Ryan Beard, Alisha Martinez, Kenny Shorten, Tiffany Farris, Heather Hernandez, Matthew Shorten, Benjamin Tharpe, Larrel Bayly, Cameron Tharpe, Seth Tharpe, Christian Wright, Jason Wright, Krista Wright, Chance Wright, and KatrinaAnn Wright. She is also survived by her great-grandchildren: Garrett Wright, Emily Wright, Lydia Wright, Amelia Wright, Sophie Wright, Cali Tharpe, Chloe Tharpe, Brandt Tharpe, Finn Bayly, Ethan Wright, Riley Wright, Leidi Gonzales and children Sir and Knight, Ethan Stout, Hunter Beard, Eliana Beard, Scarlett Beard, Teri Sites, Kari Sites, Leslie Sites, Faith Beard, William Beard, Brianna Martinez, Elizabeth Martinez, Omar Martinez, Chloe Shorten, Maddie Shorten, Tyler Farris, Caleb Farris, Avery Farris, Skylar James, Mia Hernandez, Savannah Hernandez, Jaden Shorten, Piper Shorten, Landon Shorten, Sakura Wright, and Oliver Wright. Oweta is also survived by her siblings, Carolyn Harris, William Emmons and wife Peggy, Gwen Reed and husband Danny, Celia Whitehead and husband Winston; along with many nieces, nephews, and other loving family members.
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