Evelyn Wright

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Evelyn Jean Wright, 81, of Jenison, MI, passed away on Tuesday, April 23, 2024. Born in Marvell, Arkansas on March 18, 1943, Evelyn was the third out of four children of Moszella (Harper) and Lewis Wellington Lackey.

Evelyn was raised by her great aunt, Annie “TT” (Walker) Bentley, and great uncle, John “Jank” Bentley when she was diagnosed at age two with typhoid fever. She always wanted her mama, but God made a way for someone to take care of her during her typhoid fever and raise her as their own. Annie and John also raised Evelyn’s father, who was Annie’s sister’s child when his parents died when he was two.

Evelyn received Christ, and was baptized at age 11 in Marvell, Arkansas at New Hope Baptist Church in the community of Coffee Creek and attended and graduated from Tate High in Marvell at the age of 17. After high school graduation, her great aunt and uncle offered to pay for her college education but did not want to pay for her sister’s to whom Evelyn felt close. Evelyn instead decided to get married - her great aunt paying for the large wedding - and moved to Flint, Michigan with her husband. She obtained a job in the General Motors plant; after realizing she didn’t want to work in the plant, she went up to personnel and asked how she could get up there instead. General Motors paid for her college education, and she became an accountant with the company, which was a blessing. Evelyn retired from GM, moved to California, became a model, and eventually a foster parent to 30 children. She moved back to Jenison, Michigan 26 years ago.

Evelyn leaves to mourn a daughter, Lecia Renee Wright Battle; son, Jeffrey Keith Wright; granddaughter, Mary Tanecia Battle; ex-husband, Samuel Wright; 28 former foster children; and a host of nieces, nephews, neighbors, and friends (Thelma, Elaine, Don, Darcy, Pastor Don, and church family.) She also leaves behind an older half sister, Norma Jean Boyd (Curtis); brother, Joe Lewis Lackey; and sisters, Moszie Lee Williams (Bob), and Pearlie Mae Minor.

Funeral services will be held at 11 am on Friday, May 3, 2024, at Matthysse Kuiper DeGraaf Funeral Home (Grandville) 4145 Chicago Dr. SW with Pastor Don Van Slyke and Pastor Ron Baker officiating. Burial will take place at Georgetown Township Cemetery. Relatives and friends may visit with the family from 10-11 am prior to the service at the funeral home. Those who wish to make memorial contributions are asked to consider the needs of the family.