Mother Ruth Marie Weeden Wright was born December 14, 1937 in Tunica, Miss.
She was born to Elder Willie and Missionary Buna J. Weeden. Ruthie, as she was affectionately called, was welcomed by her parents and older siblings as the sixth child of eight children.
Ruth, along with her other siblings and family members, was rooted and grounded in holiness at Antioch Church of God in Christ in Tunica, under the pastorate of Superintendent O.S. Sheard, her father, who was the Assistant, and Bishop B.S. Lyles, Overseer.
Ruth’s family moved to St. Louis in December 1955. At that time, they united with 23rd and Delmar Temple (later changed to Bostick Temple) under the leadership of the late Bishop Daniel (“Dad”) Bostick. She sang with the Delmar Juniors under Mother Beatrice Antoine. During the 1957 January Revival conducted by Elders James Wright and James Jefferson, Ruth was saved and sanctified.
Mother Wright graduated as Salutatorian in the January 1957 Class of Vashon High School. She was employed with the U.S. Government, rising to a GS-12 Computer Specialist. She retired from the U.S. Records Center after over 30 years of government service.
She was married to Charles Wesley McElroy Sr. in 1959 and three handsome sons were born to this union – Bruce Anthony and Brian Andrew, a set of twins, and Charles Wesley McElroy II. Charles Wesley McElroy Sr. preceded her in death.
In 1970, Mother Wright was joined in holy matrimony with Superintendent James L. Wright and together they parented James Jr., Anthony, Gwendolyn, Kenneth and Fredrick Wright. Supt. Wright served as Pastor and Founder of the Walnut Park Church of God in Christ until his death in 1998. Since that time, she has continued work in the ministry under the leadership of her youngest son, Elder Charles W. McElroy II.
Mother Wright was elevated to Assistant Jurisdictional Supervisor of Eastern Missouri First Jurisdiction Department of Women at the Church of God in Christ 97th Annual Holy convocation in Memphis, Tenn. in 2004. She worked diligently until her illness.
Mother Ruth M. Wright’s time and season ended on Good Friday, April 10, 2009 at Life Care Center in Bridgeton, Mo. where she was comforted by her three devoted sons and her brothers until the very end.
She leaves to cherish her memory three loving and devoted sons, Bruce, Brian and Elder Charles (Barbara) McElroy and two very “special” grandchildren, Aunya and Charles Wesley McElroy III.
Elder Anthony (Larita) Wright preceded her in death. Also left are four other children, James, Jr., Gwendolyn (Larry) Lovings, Elder Kenneth (Lolita) and Fredrick Wright and a large, loving family.