Clione Delta "C D" WRIGHT (VETERAN WWII)

Clione Delta “C D” Wright
US Army
World War II
May 19, 1923 - November 24, 2021

(aged 98)

Barnettie Holland Wright
1929 - 1986

(aged 56–57)

*Obituary

Clione Delta (C.D.) Wright, 98, was born on May 19, 1923, in Hopewell, Arkansas, and died in Heber Springs, Arkansas, on November 24, 2021. C.D. was the son of Henry and Lessie Cunningham Wright, and they raised their children to work hard on the farm. He began picking up rocks at a very young age and lost his big toe to a hungry hog as a child on that very farm. He attended Union Rock School and later joined the Army, serving in France in the Military Police during WWII. A proud moment was when he was chosen to stop traffic for General Eisenhower's convoy. He remembered, "I was out in the middle of the intersection and saw General Eisenhower's car coming, flags on the front of the fender. My commanding officer told me 'Be sure and salute him'. So I stood at attention and saluted him. I didn't forget and he saluted me back."
In August of 1947, C.D. married Betty Holland of Heber Springs, and soon afterward bought and opened the Rose Bud Garage where he worked six days a week while simultaneously maintaining a huge garden for 37 years. He was able to balance his work and fun and his family enjoyed many summer vacations. C.D. was a proud and loving father and in spite of the long days of work, always made time to take his children skiing at Greers Ferry Lake. He rarely missed a sporting event they were involved in and was able to recount details many years later. C.D. served on the Rose Bud Board of Education for many years, and was a deacon in the Rose Bud First Baptist Church. He sang bass in a quartet and loved gospel music, enjoying many hours of making music together with his family.
After the death of his first wife, C.D. married Jo (Mix) Hicks of Quitman in 1988 and his retirement season provided him long days and opportunities to find "new" work. He built several outbuildings, including a wood shop where he spent a lot of time making various furniture pieces and old barnwood picture frames, as well as maintaining yet another large garden. Retirement also allowed C.D. and his younger sister the opportunity to take many summer trips to visit their sister in North Carolina.
After the death of his second wife and two remaining sisters in 2014, C.D. was the planner and overseer of the construction of a pole barn/shop building and a five-car shed at his long-time home in Rose Bud. His son and sons-in-law did most of the work, but he was calling the shots from his lawn chair all the while.
C.D. then reconnected with a dear friend, Mary James. She became a close companion and they shared many happy times in his last season of life. Although he had learned to bake pork roast and sweet potato pie, it was much more enjoyable to share a nice meal with Mary. She quickly became one of the family and there was no end to the many selfless tasks she performed.
In August of 2019, C.D. moved to Southridge Village in Heber Springs, and spent the remainder of his life there, first in a condo, then at the nursing center. The family would like to thank all his caregivers and nurses for the kindness he was shown.
C.D. was preceded in death by his parents, his two wives, all his siblings-Elene Wright, Boone Wright, Asina Wood, & Clotene Bittle and all his first cousins. He is survived by his son, Eddie (Brenda) Wright of Jacksonville, Illinois, daughters, Diane (Mike) Moody, and Melinda (James) Snider of Rose Bud, and a stepdaughter, Marilyn Hicks Holland of Fayetteville. Six grandchildren, Bruce (Kirsten) Wright of Springfield, Illinois, Delta Wright (Michael Drabkin) of Santa Monica, CA, Whitney (Chuck) Miller of Batesville, Molley Moody of Woodbury, TN, Mallory Green of Rose Bud, Macie Snider of Fayetteville and a step-granddaughter, Shelby Holland of Fayetteville. Sixteen great-grandchildren, Evan, Logan, Braden, & Sage Wright, Holland & Blake Drabkin, McKayle, Tripp, Copeland, Riggs, & Dawson Miller, Avi & Guthrie Green and Dorothy, Chloe & Coker Holland. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews and his dear friend and caregiver, Mary James.
Visitation will be held from 5:00pm - 7:00pm on Friday, November 26, 2021 at Olmstead Funeral Home. Funeral Services will be held at 3:00pm on Sunday, November 28, 2021 in the Rose Bud First Baptist Church. Interment will follow in St. Mary's Cemetery.

Published by Olmstead Funeral Home - Heber Springs from Nov. 25 to Nov. 26, 2021.

Contributed on 3/7/22 by hawkinsdonna48
Email This Contributor

Suggest a Correction

Record #: 1424175

Don't Follow