Joseph Roland Wright departed this life on March 28, 2019. He was born in Portsmouth, Virginia on February 18, 1937, to the late William and Amelia Wright.  The union produced 13 children: Joseph Wright, Amelia Hart, Martha Morgan, Eugene Wright, Cephas Wright, William Wright, John Wright, James Wright, Lucy Turner, Mary H. Bridgeford, Thomas Wright, Raymond Wright, and Charlie Wright.

He attended I.C. Norcom and graduated from Tidewater Community College.  He later joined the United State Army (Airborne) where he retired and worked for the United States Postal Service, where he retired from both.

At an early age, Joseph was baptized at First Baptist Church Elm Avenue where he served as a Trustee, Sunday School Superintendent, and member of the Male Chorus.  Mr. Wright was involved in many organizations, receiving many honors, citations, awards and memberships.

Joseph Roland Wright was fondly called “Joe” or “Roland,” by his family and friends.

On April 8, 1957, he married the love of his life, Betty Jean Harris Wright and they were married for 63 years. Added to this union is one son, Joseph (Joey) R. Wright, Jr., of Portsmouth, VA; two daughters, LaDonna F. Wright-Turner (Orlando) of Fredericksburg, VA and Angela D. Wright-Stevenson (Barry Pete) of Orlando, FL; 10 grandchildren, DeAngela Wright, Barry Stevenson Jr., Brandon Wright, Joshua Wright, Ashley Jenee Wright, Ashley Nikol Stevenson, LaNese Wright, Kenya Wright, Lakishi Stevenson and Calvin J. Stevenson; 10 great grands, and one great great grandchild.

A wake will be held on Wednesday, April 3rd from 6 pm to 7 pm at Corprew Funeral Home.  A celebration of Joe’s life will be held on Thursday, April 4, 2019, 10 am at St. Mark Missionary Baptist Church, Portsmouth, VA.  Interment will be in Albert G. Horton Jr. Memorial Veterans Cemetery, 5310 Milners Rd., Suffolk, VA  23434.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society.