Marian Wright

She is survived by Daughters Teresa Laurie Freeman of Hollywood, Florida, and Diana (Deena) Freeman Joines Butcher, and spouse Lester Butcher of Baytown, Texas. She is also survived by Step Children John Andrew (Andy) Wright and spouse Lisa Wright and Suzanne Wright Rufener of Arizona, as well as grandchildren Megan Hobbs Barrett and spouse Daniel Barrett, Heather Hobbs Soto, Robert Joines and spouse Ashley Joines, Michael (Mike) Joines and spouse Aletha (Allie) Joines, Step grandchildren Phillip Buck and Mason Wright, numerous great grandchildren including Hannah Barrett, Will Barrett, Trey Soto, Kalynn Soto, Jason Joines, Riley Joines, Nolan Joines, as well as step great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grand nephews, friends and church family members.

She will be welcomed home by her parents Brian Galloway McDonald and Winifred Barnes McDonald, Brother James McDonald, and Sisters Katherine (Kitty) McDonald Barber, and Annie McDonald Edgett, as well as husbands Robert S. Freeman, Jr. (Jim) and Kenneth Z. Wright (Buddy).

Marian was born on February 25, 1930 in San Marcos, Texas, the youngest of four children. The family moved to the family farm outside of Brian, Texas a few years later. Surrounded by siblings and cousins, Marian grew up in a happily rural existence on the farm with many chores and responsibilities. Following her father’s work, the family moved to Texas City, Texas in 1945, where Marian went to Central High School. She was on the cheerleading squad and worked on the school newspaper and yearbook. It was in this capacity that she was across town at a local print shop when the Texas City Docks exploded. Also, of note during her High School Years, Marian met and fell in love with her first husband. They were happily married for 28 years until his sudden death in 1978. A few years later, fate smiled on her, as she fell in love again with her second husband. They enjoyed each other for 26 years until his passing in 2008.

Marian was a member of her local Methodist Church all her life, with her most recent church family at St. Luke’s Methodist in Baytown. She spent many years donating her time and energies to the Girl Scouts of America, leading troops for both of her daughters from Brownie level up through Senior Scout She worked briefly with Taping for the Blind on a volunteer basis and was an active member of a local book club for many years.

Marian worked a variety of jobs throughout her life. Before her children were born and continuing into their early childhood, she worked part time for the University of Houston in an administrative capacity. Keeping up with her two active girls became a full-time job until the mid-1970’s when she returned to work. Starting with a temporary agency, she took an assignment working for Exxon. This turned into a career which culminated with becoming an executive secretary for one of the Vice Presidents of that company. After her retirement from Exxon, She and her husband ran their own business of renovating and renting various properties in the LaPorte/Baytown area. This enabled them to build their dream house on almost 5 acres of land outside of Baytown.

After her husband’s passing, Marian lived a quiet life with most of her time spent with her Church Family, until her final illness. For the last several years of her life, she stayed at home, cared for by her Daughter and Son-in-law, in quiet and comfort.