Mattilyn Willis Pete Wright
020327 03092013
Born second of 5 children to Bryan Wood Lovelace and Zora Victoria Pearl Willis Lovelace in Wichita Falls, TX.
Married to Gerald Neal Jerry Wright at the First Baptist Church in Wichita Falls on 27 May 1950, had two children and lived on the farm in Byers until they moved to Irving in 1959.
Pete grew up the oldest daughter of the only bookstore owner in downtown Wichita Falls, the Lovelace Bookstore and Hallmark Card and Rock Shop. She graduated WFHS in 1943.
As a Sophomore at UT in 4546, she took flying lessons and was a member of the Wichita Falls Club, the Baptist Student Union and the InterVarsity Christian Fellowship. As a member of the youth group at University Baptist Church hosted by Mom and Pop Barrow she made lifelong friends that continue to this day. While at UT, she fell down a flight of stairs and spent 6 months in recovery. She graduated from Midwestern University in 1950 and taught third grade in WF and Irving until she got her library certificate from NTSU in 1968 when she became an elementary school librarian until she retired in 1989. She was an active member of her PEO sorority and president of the Irving Alpha Delta Kappa, an international honorary organization of women educators, from 1982 1984. One of her favorite activities was reading to the kids at the local public library.
After raising their family in Byers and Irving, Pete and Jerry moved to Kingsland on Lake LBJ, then spent 10 years on a farm 12 miles down Hwy 16 from Comanche, then Brownwood and finally to Kerrville. They enjoyed traveling the Lewis and Clark Bicentennial Trail, to Newfoundland and especially to see their granddaughters in Chicago, volunteering in the community, reading to their grandgirls, cooking, and enjoying their friends.
Preceded in death by her husband of 61 years, Jerry her parents, Bryan and Zora and her older brother, BW Lovelace, Jr.
Survived by her son, Rick Wright, of Kerrville and her daughter, Janet Batjer of Wilmette, IL, her soninlaw, Hunt Batjer, and her four beloved granddaughters, Hannah Alden, Devon Julianna, Victoria Huntington Hunter, and Ashley Shannon. Her brothers, John and Bob Lovelace and her sister, Jan Brown, their spouses and 8 nieces and nephews and their families.
A Celebration of life Memorial Serve will be 1:00 PM Saturday, March 16, 2013 at St. Peters Episcopal Church, 320 Saint Peters St. Kerrville, TX 78028.
Our family tradition is to suggest remembrances in lieu of flowers be sent to Cal Farleys Boys Ranch, POB 1890, Amarillo, TX 79174 or the charity of your choice.
Many have left condolences at rickwright52facebook.com
Arrangements are under the direction and personal care of the professionals at Kerrville Funeral Home. 8308955111
Service Schedule
Celebration of Life Memorial Service
St. Peters Episcopal Church
320 Saint Peter St.
Kerrville, TX 78028
Saturday, March 16, 2013
1:00 PM
Map & Directions