Ella Brown

Wright

Celebration of Life Obituary

"Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart; and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."

-Matthew 11:28-30

With profound sorrow and steadfast hope in the promises of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, we announce the passing of Doctor Ella Brown Wright ("Ella Mae"), beloved wife, mother, nurse, educator, church mother, and faithful servant of God, who entered into eternal rest on May 23, 2025. She passed away peacefully and surrounded by the love of family.

Ella was born on June 24, 1953, in Buckingham, Virginia to Ministers Warren Gamaliel Harding Brown, Sr. and Gretchen Hoyt Brown. The fourth of nine children, Mother Wright grew up surrounded by the love, laughter, and occasional chaos of a big family. Life in Buckingham taught her the values of hard work, humility, and faith. From an early age, Ella exemplified a gentle spirit and a heart tuned to the needs of others. She was a cherished wife of the Reverend Doctor David Nathaniel Wright, Sr., with whom she shared 36 years of devoted marriage, partnered in life and ministry. Mother Wright served her community through faith, compassion, and an unwavering commitment to the Gospel.

Ella was a lifelong learner who believed that knowledge was both a gift and a calling. She attended Virginia Commonwealth University ("VCU") where she earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the Medical College of Virginia ("MCV") School of Nursing in 1975, launching a career of compassionate care that touched countless lives. Her passion for teaching and mentorship led her to return to Virginia State University and pursue a Master's Degree in Education in 1982. Never one to rest on her accomplishments, Ella went on to earn a Ph.D. in Humanities from Nova Southeastern University in 1996, where her research focused on the intersection of ethics, faith, and care. Even in her later years, she continued to grow, obtaining a graduate certificate in Healthcare Compliance from Seton Hall Law School in 2015. Her dedication to education was not only evident in her degrees but in the way she taught, nurtured, and inspired others throughout her life. Her love for education and ministry came together most powerfully when she founded Christian Collegiate School, a preparatory academy serving preschool through elementary grades, where young children were nurtured in both academic excellence and Christian character.

Mother Wright answered God's call to care for others by becoming a nurse, serving patients not only with her hands but with her heart. Ella's professional career spanned an extraordinary 47 years, marked by excellence, leadership, and a deep sense of calling. She began as an operating room nurse at MCV Hospital, where her skill and steady presence quickly earned the respect of peers and physicians alike. She went on to serve as Director of Surgical Services at Richmond Community Hospital, overseeing critical operations with both precision and compassion. Her journey continued at Central State Psychiatric Hospital's Geriatric Treatment Center, where she served as Associate Director of Clinical Services and implemented the first Registered Nurse Psychiatric Geriatric Supervisor Training Program—an initiative that set a new standard for psychiatric elder care. Ella later shared her knowledge as an adjunct nursing faculty member at J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College and as Assistant Dean and instructor at Trinity Bible College, blending clinical expertise with spiritual formation. She held key leadership roles in

healthcare administration as a Quality Improvement Coordinator for Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield and later as a Clinical Resource Manager at Bon Secours Health, where she contributed to institutional excellence as a member of the Hospital Nursing Professional Standards Committee and the Hospital Quality Assurance Committee. Her final role before retirement was as the Palliative and Hospice Ambulatory Care Manager, where she provided comfort and dignity to patients and families in life's most sacred moments. In addition to her professional work, Ella faithfully served as the Jurisdictional Health Coordinator for the 1st Jurisdiction of the Church of God in Christ, offering guidance, education, and care to churches and communities across the region. Her life's work was a seamless blend of faith and healing, education and advocacy, always rooted in her unwavering commitment to serve. Whether at the hospital bedside, in a classroom, or in the pew, with a song and prayer Mother Wright brought light and love into every space she entered.

A proud and nurturing mother, Mother Wright raised four sons – David, Jonathan, Joshua, and Peter-with the same faith and steadfast love she poured into every person that entered her life. Her home was a sanctuary of warmth, prayer, laughter, and learning, and her children carry forward her legacy of kindness, strength, faith, and unwavering gratitude. In fact, she for many and especially recent years would say that her name in heaven is "Grateful."

Mother Wright was the rock of her family and church; a woman of prayer whose life bore the fruits of the spirit. Her hospitality, humility, and encouragement lifted many, and her steadfast presence will be deeply missed by all who knew her. She lived Proverbs 31:26 – "She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue."

Mother Wright was preceded in death by one brother, Warren G.H. Brown Jr., brother-in-law, Willie Cantrell Jr., and sister-in-law, Sadie Brown.

Mother Wright leaves to cherish her memories and legacy four sons, David Nathaniel Wright Jr., Jonathan Curthbert Wright, Esq. (Diana), Joshua Hickman Wright, and Peter Andrew Wright. Mother Wright was also the proud grandmother of four little blessings, Benjamin Wright, Elijah Wright, Caleb Wright, and Josephine Wright; seven siblings, Dr. Charles E. Brown, Juanita Brown Leatherberry (Daniel), Russell H. Brown (Marita), Joseph L. Brown, Roderick W. Brown, Nancy Brown Smith (Garland) and Valerie Brown Cantrell; a host of nieces, nephews, sister-in-law, Yvonne Brown, spiritual children, and a multitude of loved family, church members, and friends.

Remains rest at Scott's Funeral Home, 115 E. Brookland Park Blvd. where viewing will be held from 10 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. Friday, June 6, 2025 followed by the family receiving friends from 6 p.m. until 7 p.m. at Scott's Chapel, 116 E. Brookland Park Blvd.

A celebration of Mother Wright's life will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, June 7, 2025 at Scott's Chapel, 116 E. Brookland Park Blvd. with visitation beginning at 10:00 AM.  Interment Roselawn Memory Gardens.

Memorial donations may be made to her home church, the Community Church of God in Christ, 1801 Park Avenue, Richmond, Virginia 23220.

Though our hearts are heavy, we rejoice that she is now resting in the arms of our loving Savior Jesus Christ, hearing the words, "Well done, good and faithful servant." (Matthew 25:23)

To God be the glory for a life well-lived in service and love. To her, may we all remain indeed, grateful.

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