Velma Louise Wright, 87, of Mountainburg, passed away Monday, June 7, 2021 in Fort Smith. She was born April 2, 1934 in Mountainburg to Aubrey and Ruth Rye. She was a homemaker, and a loving mother, grandmother, pillar of the community, and a devoted caregiver.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Paul Wright, Sr.; a daughter, Paula Wise; a sister, Betty Walls; five brothers, R.B., Lee, Quincy, Carlos, and Bill Rye; and a grandchild.
She is survived by a daughter, Tina Dollard of Van Buren; five sons, Roger, Carl, and Curtis LaRue, all of Mountainburg, Gene LaRue of Fort Smith, and Paul Wright, Jr. of Mountainburg; a sister, Loretta Knox of Mountainburg; four brothers, Joe Rye of Mountainburg, Doug Rye of Fort Smith, Luke Rye of Mountainburg, and Dwight Rye of Pearcy; and nineteen grandchildren, and numerous great- and great-great-grandchildren.
Graveside service will be 11:00 a.m. Monday, June 14, 2021 at the Fort Smith National Cemetery, under the direction of Edwards Van-Alma Funeral Home of Van Buren, AR.