Valencia Gooch Wright

Valencia Gooch Wright, 87, of Laurel passed away July 7, 2014, at Forrest General Hospital in Hattiesburg. Since May 2013, she was a resident of Alden Pointe in Hattiesburg. Val, as she was best known to family and friends, was born Jan. 3, 1927, in Sandersville to the Rev. James E. and Grace Trest Gooch. She grew up in New Orleans during World War II and eventually moved to Laurel, where she married Johnnie Wright, namesake of Johnnie Wright Radiator. A graduate of what is now Hatfield’s Inc. Mississippi College of Beauty Culture, Val owned and operated her own beauty shop in the Glade community before becoming bookkeeper at her husband’s radiator shop. An amazing cook who loved to talk, laugh and escape to the Smokies with Johnnie once a year, Val was most proud of her family. Both Christians, she and Johnnie were members of First Baptist Church Laurel. Val was preceded in death by Johnnie Wright and her brothers E.J., Albert and Gerald Gooch, and sister Juanita. She is survived by three children: James T. Wright Sr. and his wife, Elouise, of Petal; Beverly Adams and her husband, James W. Adams Jr., of Pensacola, Fla.; and Charles Wright and his wife, Jennifer, of Hattiesburg; as well as her sister Mattie Pearl Rainey of McComb. She was “Nanny” to granddaughters Jennifer Adams Dennis of Houston, Texas; and Julie and Stephanie Adams, both of Pensacola, Fla.; and “Mamaw” to grandsons the Rev. J.T. Wright Jr. of Mobile, Ala.; and Jason Ashley Wright of Tulsa, Okla. In addition, she leaves seven great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews, whom she loved dearly. The funeral will be held at Memory Chapel Funeral Home in Laurel at 10 a.m. Wednesday, July 9, 2014. Her grandson J.T. Wright Jr. will offer a eulogy, and the Rev. Randy Turner of First Baptist Church Laurel will deliver the message. Nelda Moore, Val’s former Sunday school teacher, will sing a hymn. Pallbearers will be James W. Adams Jr.; Andy Dennis of Houston, Texas; Johnny Bryant of Laurel; Bud Doherty of Columbia; Kenny Gooch of Hattiesburg; and Jason Ashley Wright. Interment will be at Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Laurel. Visitation will be held from 5 until 7 p.m. Tuesday, July 8th at Memory Chapel which is in charge of the arrangements. To view and sign the family guest book, visit www.memorychapellaurel.com.

Valencia Gooch Wright

January 3, 1927 - July 7, 2014