Joel Samuel Wright, Jr.

Joel Samuel Wright, Jr. was born on August 15, 1932, in Mt. Tabor, Arkansas tenth of twelve children of Joel (Papa) and Retter (Granny) Wright. He entered his heavenly home on Wednesday, March 1, 2023. 

Joel spent his childhood at the foot of Pigeon Roost Mountain with his brothers, sisters, nephews, nieces, and cousins. Joel recounted many memories of their exploits on the mountain and of helping Papa in the fields. 

Joel graduated from Caddo Gap High School in 1951. In 1952, he entered the United States Navy where he served as an electronics technician and navigator. On March 24, 1953, Joel married the love of his life, Billie Jean Warren. In 1955, Joel, Billie, and their firstborn left Pensacola, FL for Carlsbad, NM where Joel trained as a carpenter. 

In 1960, Joel earned a bachelor’s degree in education from Henderson State University and began his teaching career at Caddo Gap. He later earned a master’s degree at the University of Arkansas. Joel remained in education for another seventeen years, serving as a teacher, basketball coach, principal, and superintendent. In 1977, Joel left education to begin a career in home construction, where he spent the next thirty-plus years building homes in Arkansas and Tennessee.

Joel served his Savior as a church planter, as a proficient Bible teacher, and served as a deacon for sixty-five years. He and Billie helped plant churches in Arkansas, Tennessee, and New Mexico.

Joel’s favorite activities were hunting, riding the back roads with his brother, Buster, and spending time with his family. He enjoyed working around the house, and never missed a Razorback football or basketball game. 

Joel was preceded in death by his father, Joel Wright, his mother, Loretta (Retter) Grant Wright, eight brothers, two sisters, and two sons, Craig Allen Wright, and Barry Gene Wright. 

Survivors include his wife, Billie Jean Warren Wright, children Janet (Charles K “Bud”) Hughes, daughter-in-law Shirley (Barry) Wright, Corby Wright, Neal (Dana) Wright, and Nita (Dave) Windus, thirteen grandchildren, twenty-one great-grandchildren, and brother, Don.  

Pallbearers are Chuck Baker, Mark Plyler, Dennis Fant, Doug Wright, James Montgomery, and Tom Wright. Honorary pallbearers are the men of Bethel, “The Coffee Drinkers” and all of Joel’s nephews. 

Visitation will be at Bethel Missionary Baptist Church in Glenwood, AR on Friday, March 3rd, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM. The memorial service will start at 2:00 PM on Saturday, March 4th, at Bethel followed by interment at Old Mt. Tabor cemetery. 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Missions Fund at Bethel Missionary Baptist Church. 

Arrangements are under the direction of Smith Family Funeral Home, Glenwood, 209 North Third Street, Glenwood, AR 71943.

Guest registry is at www.smithfamilycares.com.