James Carl Wright, aged 92, passed peacefully from this life on October 10, 2024, after a brief illness. At the time of his death, Carl resided at Chauvin Pointe Retirement Community in Monroe, Louisiana.
Carl was born on January 27, 1932, in Louisville, Mississippi, one of nine children of Hiram Luther Wright and Linnie Mae Hall. Working hard was part of his youth on a farm, and Carl often spoke fondly of growing up in the country. At an early age, Carl learned to play baseball with his brothers, and he excelled at the game and followed the sport throughout the rest of his life.
In 1953, near the end of the Korean War, Carl was called up to join the United States Army, which he proudly served and followed with six years of service in the United States Army Reserve. Carl began his work life at Sterling’s in Hollandale, Mississippi. After being asked to relocate to manage a store, he decided instead to take a local job as a lineman for Twin County Electric Power Association. After 43 years of service to the company, Carl retired in 1994.
Carl and his beloved wife Joyce chose to retire to Bentonia, Mississippi, where they enjoyed keeping a garden, caring for their pets, traveling, and especially spending time with family, friends, and neighbors. They were members of Melrose Baptist Church.
Carl was predeceased by both of his wives, Anne Lavonne Giglio Wright and Joyce Keith Trawick Wright; his daughter, Carla Anne Wright Steele; his parents; and all of his siblings.
He is survived by his children by blood and affinity, Cosimino (Susan) Giglio, of Indianola, Mississippi; Lavonne Wright Kennedy of Monroe, Louisiana; Sara (Travis) Holley of Monroe, Louisiana; and Walt (Angie) Trawick of Gaylesville, Alabama. Carl was also blessed with six grandchildren, Heather Giglio McCauley, Ashley Giglio Lucas, Morgan Kennedy, Emily Kennedy Webb, H. Barlow Holley, and Matthew Trawick, and four great-grandchildren, Hunter Stegman, Roman Lucas, Banks Kennedy, and Miles Wilder.
Robert Burford, Freddie Jones, Mickey Jones, Rickey Jones, Tom Price, and Graham Webb will serve as pallbearers.
Carl was a wonderful man, great father, and friend to all who knew him. He will be greatly missed.
Visitation will be held on Tuesday, October 15 from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. at Boone Funeral Home in Leland, Mississippi, followed by a funeral service at the Boone Chapel beginning at 11:00 a.m. Family and friends will travel to Hollandale, Mississippi for the graveside service. Carl’s nephew, Lew Hall of Winter Haven, Florida, will officiate, and special music will be performed by Genifer Hall.