Elnora Wright

Elnora Austin Wright was born on October 12, 1922 to Laura and Willie B. Austin in Water Valley, Mississippi. Elnora Austin was raised as a farmer’s daughter. Her parents, Laura and Willie Austin preceded her in death.

She leaves to mourn, two sisters: Essie Olvier of Flint, Michigan and Laura Buttler of Chicago, Illinois; and one brother: Jessie Austin of Chicago, Illinois.

Elnora Austin met Mose Phillips in 1932. From this union one son was born in 1935, Rev. Hudie Phillips, Sr. who preceded Elnora in death.

Also left to mourn is her daughter-in-law, Julia Phillips, whom Elnora considered a daughter.

In the early 1960s, Elnora moved to Memphis, Tennessee where she worked until the late sixties. She then moved to Portland, Oregon where she worked as a CNA and a housekeeper.

In 1968 Elnora returned to Mississippi to take on the responsibility of raising her two grandchildren: Anice Swanigan and Delorise Lawson. She returned to Portland shortly thereafter to take on another responsibility and to offer mothering to over 100 others.

Elnora joined Mt. Sinai C.O.G.I.C., pastored by the late, great W.G. Hardy, Sr. She joined the Usher Board and served for years until she felt called to take on a higher position in the church. Anyone who knew Big Moma, knew that whatever she did, it had to be 100 percent. She decided to join the Pastor’s Aide Board. She had the pleasure of taking care of Pastor W.G. Hardy, Sr. through the remainder of her affiliation with the church.

In the early nineties, Elnora’s only son, Rev. Hudie Phillips, Sr. opened the doors to his first church. Elnora joined his church and remained an active member until the church’s doors closed.

Elnora had one son, Rev. Hudie Phillips, who had twelve children. Also left to mourn are 53 great-grandchildren, 91 great-great-great-grandchildren, 5 great-great-great-great-grandchildren, a host of nieces, nephews and foster children. Elnora was preceded in death by seven grandchildren, Shantley Stantly, Charles McCloud, Jr., Christopher Phillips, Peaches McCloud, Delon Wilkerson, Marquis Wash and Jayden Anderson.

In the early seventies, Elnora purchased her first home on 15th and Prescott. She took pride and ownership of her neighborhood corner and bought her first business in the location, which she called Hill Top Café. A few years later she started her second business: Lois & Christopher’s, a clothing store on Killingsworth. She served many people and hired employees that no other business wanted to hire. She opened up her house to the ones that could not find a place to stay or the ones who were misplaced by misfortune.

Elnora only birthed one child, but she was a mother to hundreds, and a friend to many more. Everyone who met “Big Moma” was a child, brother, sister and permanent family member.

Elnora was known by many names: “Big Moma,” “Queen Bee,” “Mrs. Wright,” and “Cupcake”. No matter which name you knew her by, she left an everlasting feeling with you. Big Moma left a mark everywhere she went. She was a pillar in the Portland community, and she will never be forgotten.

Big Moma, Cupcake, Queen Bee, Mrs. Wright, you are loved and will never be forgotten nor replaced.