Alma Wright Gresham

Alma Wright Gresham, 95, of Jasper passed away March 28, 2021 at Walker Baptist Hospital in Jasper, Alabama. She was born in Carbon Hill, Alabama on February 5, 1926 to James J. and Louella Keelen Wright. The family moved to nearby Nauvoo in 1930, where she grew up. She was the fourth child, with Bessie, Donie and Velma being older, then additional siblings were Ellette, James Jr, Charles and Royce.

After school she moved to Anniston for employment living with an uncle's family. There she met and fell in love with Patrick D. Gresham, the son of a Baptist minister from Georgia. Pat was stationed at Fort McClellan in the Army and they married in 1959. Alma's family liked Pat very much and were pleased that he was a college graduate and could play the organ.

After a tour of duty in Germany, when Pat left the military, they relocated to Lake Wales, Florida. Alma was employed with Winn Dixie Grocery chain, could easily transfer and was to have a fifty year career with the company. The couple enjoyed a long married life until Pat’s death in 1997. Pat was a life long Mason and Alma was active in the Eastern Star. They were members of Lake Wales First Baptist Church.

In 2003, Alma moved to Jasper to be near her sisters. Her sister Bessie Earley Ratcliffe had a group of widowed lady friends that she hosted almost every night. They brought covered dishes and had dinner together, Alma enjoyed these gatherings so much. The regulars included, Jerry Bennett, Ruby Sanford, Lou Messer and Barbra Meadows. They were teased as being the "Jasper Golden Girls". Alma was invited to New Prospect Baptist Church and she loved the warm friendly congregation. She missed the worship and fellowship when failing health kept her homebound.

Alma was preceded in death by her entire family. Left to mourn her passing are her closest nieces and nephews, Rev. Terry Wright of E. Platka, FL, Margaret Lee, Jasper, Karen Capps, Lynn, Nelda Coxey, Bessemer, MI, Tammy Noland, Belle Glade, FL, Vivian Cagle, Nauvoo, Tony Wright, Lynn and Chuck Wright, Lynn.

Condolences received from friend, Joel Vig, Broadway playwright and actor, reflected "Alma had a truly blessed day to leave this world....Palm Sunday...a day of new beginnings." He passed along the sentiment that his good friend, actress Patricia Neal, when speaking of death would say, "Remember...what the caterpillar thinks is the end of its world...the Master knows it is just the beginning of a beautiful new adventure". "I believe Alma is now free of any pain and suffering and is spreading her new wings and flying free".

Visitation was held on Wednesday, March 31, 2021, from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Kilgore-Green Funeral Home. Masks required. Burial will take place in Auburndale, FL A graveside service will be officiated by Rev. Terry Wright in Glen Abbey Memorial Gardens.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to New Prospect Baptist Church.