Gene Wright

Gene Wright, 92, of Anna, died Sunday, March 29, 2020, at the Illinois Veteran’s Home in Anna. 

He was born on July 7, 1927, in Buncombe, the son of Audie Sherman and Vesta Mae Miller Wright. 

He married Mary Lou Toler on June 23, 1956, in Anna. 

Mr. Wright is survived by his wife of 63 years, Mary Lou Wright of Anna; children Marla Sue Rendleman of Anna, David Scott (Angela) Wright of Marion, Thomas Gene (Dianne) Wright and Robbie Sherman (Suzie) Wright, all of Jonesboro; 12 grandchildren, Brad Dexter, Angela Hand, Carri Odle, Cole Craft, Brett Wright, Brooke Anderson, Brady Wright, Jaime Wright, Jodie Dial, Jessica Wright, Matthew Brown and Sarah Brown; 30 great-grandchildren; six great-great-grandchildren; a sister, Ramona Hayes of Herrin; dear friends Floyd and Edna Dallas of Anna; many other relatives and friends. 

He was preceded in death by his parents; a daughter, Carla Welbaum; two grandchildren, Audie Clarence Wright and Rebecca Clemons; sisters Ethelene Lyerla and Nellie Mae Dillow; an infant sister, Carol Ann Wright; and a son-in-law, Leroy “Leepy” Rendleman. 

Mr. Wright served in the Merchant Marines and in the U.S. Air Force. He was a longtime, dedicated member of the First Baptist Church of Jonesboro. 

He loved to play golf and was a member of Union County Country Club for over 40 years. He also loved to play cards with family and friends.

Over the years, he had many hobbies, like talking on his CB radio, riding his Harley, spending time on his computer and going out to eat. He really enjoyed shopping for a new car. 

Most of all, though, he loved spending time with his family as a husband, father and papa attending ballgames, going to birthday parties, playing games with the little ones and entertaining them with his childhood stories.

Early in his career he worked for Whitney Accounting and then he worked as comptroller for Presley Tours for over 30 years.

His family expressed a heartfelt thank you to the wonderful staff at the Union County Long Term Care and the Illinois Veterans Home in Anna.  

Private graveside services will be for the immediate family. Interment will be in the Ebenezer Hall Cemetery in Lick Creek. The family will announce a public celebration of life at a later date. 

Memorials can be made to the Illinois Veterans Home in Anna activity fund.

To view the obituary and to leave online condolences for the family, visit www.rendlemanhilemanfh.com. 

Rendleman & Hileman Funeral Home in Jonesboro is in charge of arrangements.