Mary Evelyn Wright was born into this life on December 25, 1942, in Earlington, Kentucky to the late Agnes (Pettie) Robinson and Reverend David Pettie, Sr.  She departed this life on August 15, 2017, at Parkview Health's Home Health and Hospice in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

Mary confessed her life to Christ at the age of nine and was baptized at the age of 13. Mary truly loved the Lord and devoted herself to praise and worship to God through song. Mary loved to sing praises to the Lord!  In 1979, Mary along with Rosemary Mosely and the late JoAnn Dunson formed the singing group, the Glory Bound Singers. After the group disbanded, Mary continued to sing whenever called upon. Mary also was a member of the Ebony Voices of Jerusalem. After joining Mt. Calvary Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of former Pastor Booker Pearsons, Mary became a member of the choir, served as a youth director for the children’s choir, Sunday school teacher and Missionary for many years. She continued her faithful and dedicated service under the direction of the late Rev. Royal Jordan and the late Rev. Mike Nickleson.

Mary was a member of the Glee Club in Sturgis High School where she graduated in 1960. Mary entered Sturgis High School during segregation. Mary along with several other black children had to be escorted into Sturgis High School under the protection of the United States National Guard. After graduating she worked at the Breckinridge Job Corp Center in Morganfield, Kentucky.

In 1961, Mary enlisted in the United States Air Force and completed active duty for three years as a medical service specialist. After completing active duty, she received an honorable discharge. In 1977, Mary joined the U.S. Air Forces Air National Guard, 122^nd Tactical Fighter Wing, in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Mary worked nine years in the guards and received an honorable discharge from the Air National Guard, in 1980.

Mary continued her education entering the School of Nursing at Indiana University, Purdue University, Fort Wayne where she received her certification as a Medical Technician. Mary worked for the Fort Wayne Greater Chamber of Commerce where she received the Mayor Win Moses Award for Excellence.  She also worked for Indiana University, the United States Post Office and retired from ITT Aerospace Optical in 1999.

Mary enjoyed reading, writing, and singing, but her greatest accomplishment was being a mother.  While married to Raymond Murphy, Mary was blessed with her eldest daughter Valerie R. Murphy.  Later in life, Mary was wed to Joseph Reese and was blessed with her youngest daughter, Angela L. Reese.  Mary was widowed by her late husband Herbert Wright.

Mary was preceded in death by her mother Agnes Robinson; brothers, Robert E. Pettie, Kenneth Pettie and Emmitt Robinson Jr. and a nephew, William Robinson.

Mary leaves to cherish her father, Rev. David Pettie, Sr. of Sturgis, KY; daughters Valerie R. Murphy of Fort. Wayne, IN, and Angela L. Reese, Indianapolis, IN; sisters, Joyce Tubbs (Sylvester Alexander) of Fort Wayne, Fannie Taylor, Daisy Johnson, Minnie (Fred) Barnhill, Addie Valentine all of Cleveland, Ohio; Sharon Combs, Linda Fellows, Vanessa Lee, Clara Caldwell all of Sturgis, KY;  brothers, David (Mae) Pettie, Jr., Twymon (special friend Natashia Matthews) Pettie and  Willie (Ernestine) Robinson, all of Fort Wayne, IN and Edgie (Rochelle) Burks of Sturgis, KY;  sister-in-law, Cora Robinson of Fort Wayne, IN; uncle,  William Curtis Bell of Chicago, IL.; nieces Demetria Pettie, Yvette (LeRoy) Davis and Tempa (Ronnie) Fowlkes; nephews, Kevin (Sharon) Morris, Clarence, Ron and Emmitt III Robinson; great niece, Trisha (Stephanie) Morgan;  great nephew Timothy Johnson; great grandniece Kamryn Noelle;  god-daughter, Vanessa Bright; honorary children, Terrence (LaKenna) London, Roger (Crystal) Smith, James (Veda) Kendrick, Mike Baker, Henry Covington, Deb Grinstead,  Schimar and Marquita Phillips; honorary sister, Teresa Wells; best friends, Anna Reeves and Rosemary Mosely along with a host of other special and beloved nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

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