Raymond Andrew Wright [Click to enlarge]

Raymond Andrew Wright, 88, of Piggott, died Tuesday, April 12, 2005, in the Murphy Health and Rehabilitation Center in Piggott.

He was born Nov. 27, 1916, near St. Louis, the only son of the late James Monroe and Lottie Cantrell Wright.

He was married to Sylvia Virginia Hughes on Jan. 27, 1937. They had seven children.

Mr. Wright was a master carpenter who worked with Emmitt Crittenden and Cox Lumber Company for many years. He loved building the churches and schools the company built throughout Southeast Missouri and Northeast Arkansas. After leaving the construction business, he was the greens keeper at Sugar Creek Country Club until retirement. He was always ready to assist anyone with their building projects until he was 80-years-old. In later years, he relished in helping his son, Charles, with his auction business. He could always be seen at the sales chatting and enjoying the banter there.

He enjoyed playing golf and traveling to his children's homes away from Piggott. His greatest leisure enjoyment was the St. Louis Cardinal games. He missed hearing or seeing very few.

Mr. Wright was a Christian and a faithful member of First Baptist Church since 1954. He was one of the original founders of Emmanuel Baptist Church and happy to see its growth in the community. Mr. Wright loved Piggott and its people. He will be missed by his family, his church and his many friends.

He was preceded in death by two grandchildren, Gaylon Wright and Stephen Schoettlin.

He is survived by his wife, Sylvia Virginia Wright; seven children, Lottie Gookin and husband, Bill, of Piggott, Shirley Schoettlin of Piggott, James Wright and wife, Betty, of Oklahoma City, Okla., Charles Wright and wife, Elaine, of Piggott, Mary Clark of Oak Grove, Mo., Martha Powers and husband, Keith, of Brighton, Tenn., and Johnny Wright of Campbell. He was grandpa to 18 grandchildren, 29 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren. He is also survived by cousins and several friends.

Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. on Thursday, April 14, 2005, in the Hoggard and Sons Chapel with Dr. Shannon Holmes and Charles Carrens officiating. Burial followed in the Piggott Cemetery.

Active pallbearers were his grandsons, Mike Gookin, Jeff Gookin, Kenny Wright, Phil Schoettlin, Bill Clark, Andy Dixon, Brian Wright, Richard Lind Jr. and Michael Wright. Honorary pallbearers were Tom Sneed, Don Featherston, Harry Niewald Jr., Keith Woolverton, Bob Shanklin, Bill Gookin, Keith Powers, Richard Lind Sr., Ronnie Dixon and Harold Dunlap.

Hoggard and Sons Funeral Home of Piggott was in charge of the arrangements.

Memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church in Piggott.