Lynn Wright
Posted: June 19, 2022
Lynn Wright, age 69, of Columbus, MS passed away June 17, 2022 in Tuscaloosa, AL. Funeral services will be 2:00 pm Tuesday, June 21, 2022 at Mount Zion Baptist Church in New Hope, MS with Rev. Keith Pugh officiating. Burial will follow in Pine Grove Cemetery with Skelton Funeral Home of Reform directing. Visitation will be from 5 – 8 pm Monday, June 20, 2022 at the funeral home and also one hour prior and immediately following the service at the church on Tuesday.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Willie Loyd Wright, Sr. and Jo Etta Lipsey Wright.
Survivors include his wife of 47 years, Ginger Howell Wright; sons, Josh Wright (Caroline), Jody Wright (Meredith) and Jonathan Wright (Pearl); brothers, Loyd Wright (Susan), Larry Wright (Kathy), Luther Wright (Penney) and Lane Wright (Carol); sister, Beth Wright Ludwig (Michael) and six grandchildren, Roper Penny, Thomas Wright, Levee Wright, Lydia Wright, Wellesley Wright and Landon Wright.
Lynn Wright graduated valedictorian from Carrollton High School (AL) in 1970 where he played football for Hall of Fame Coach Billy McGee. He went on to play football at the University of West Alabama where he helped lead the Tigers to a 22-7-3 overall record during his three years in Livingston, including an overall record of 8-1-2 and a trip to the NAIA Semifinals in 1972. After graduating from UWA in 1975, Wright began his coaching career in 1983 at McIntosh Academy, where he would serve as head coach through the 1987 season. During his stint at MA, he won four ACAC 2A State Titles and the NACA Division II National Championship in 1984. In 1988, Wright accepted the head-coaching job at Pickens Academy. Over a brilliant 16-year stay at PA, he led the Pirates to five AISA 2A State Championships in football and three baseball State Titles as well. He has an impressive 211-55 overall record in 22 years of coaching football and currently owns a 237-77 record in 11 years of coaching baseball. Wright has also coached five undefeated football teams and has put together winning streaks of 47 and 32 games. In addition to coaching, he also served as the Headmaster at Pickens Academy and won the AISA 2A Presidents Award for the Highest Academic School in its class. Wright is a 2003 inductee into the AISA Hall of Fame. He served in Education for 44 years. He also served as Headmaster and Head Coach at Jackson Academy and High school principal at New Hope Hugh School. He was elected and served as Lowndes County (MS) Superintendent of Education from 2011-19 during which time the school district under his leadership received an ‘A’ rating from the state. A state of the art career technical center, new Caledonia Elementary and New Hope High School were also built under his leadership. In 2020 he was elected to the Mississippi House of Representatives District 37 and served as a Republican until his passing.
Pallbearers will be Steve Davis, Darrell Gregory, Tony Holmes, Sam McCorkle, Leo Wright and Steve Younger.
Honorary Pallbearers are the Mississippi House of Representatives, former team mates, coaches and players and the Juanice Hayes Sunday School Class.
In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorials to St. Jude Children’s Hospital, Pickens Academy, c/o Head Coach Mike Smith, Bessemer Academy, c/o Head Coach Jonathan Wright, Tuscaloosa Academy, c/o Head Coach Josh Wright or the University of West Alabama, c/o Head Coach Brett Gilliland.