April 29, 2022, 74, Mount Olive –

The Honorable Paul M. Wright, retired judge and attorney-at-law, passed away Friday evening, April 29, 2022, in his home at the age of 74.

Born in Buncombe County, he grew up in the mountains of NC where he attended Clyde A. Erwin High School. He received an undergraduate degree from Wheaton College where he majored in history and played football. He received his Juris Doctorate degree from Duke University School of Law. Wayne County became his home when he worked as an assistant district attorney, district court judge, and then appointed as a superior court judge, his judicial tenure lasted for 20 years & then he retired from the bench. He ended his career as an attorney in private practice.

Judge Wright was a faithful servant of God and made a point to worship wherever he happened to be. For the last several years he and his wife, Pat, resided in Wilmington where they attended Myrtle Grove Presbyterian Church.

All who knew Judge Wright knew that he enjoyed politics, history, and theology.

Preceded in death by a daughter, Hope Mercer Wright; his first wife and the mother of his children, Lisa Stanley Wright; and his parents, Roy S. and Marie Anders Wright, Judge Wright is survived by his wife, Patricia Wilson Nealey Wright; five of his children, Faith Wright Whitfield and husband, Matt, of Mount Olive, Josiah Wright and wife, Brittany, of Dudley, Charity Wright Brock and husband, Dennis, of Mount Olive, Jeremiah Wright of Mount Olive, and Mercy Wright of Lynchburg, Va.; two step-children, Rob Nealey and wife, Stacie, of Archdale, and Melissa Nealey of Oak Ridge; grandchildren, Alisa Grace Whitfield, Anders Whitfield, Liam Brock, Zach Nealey, Bella Nealey, Devin Carrithers, and Ashley Carrithers.

The Wright family will receive friends Monday, May 2, beginning at 5 p.m. at First Pentecostal Holiness Church of Mount Olive, with funeral services to follow at 7 p.m. in the sanctuary. The Rev. Jeffrey Black and the Rev. Randy Jenkins will officiate.
A committal service followed by burial will be Tuesday, May 3, at 11:30 a.m. in Myrtle Green Cemetery in Tabor City. Friends are also being received at the home of Josiah and Brittany Wright on Saturday, April 30, and Sunday, May 1, from 12:00 p.m. until 7 p.m.

For those wishing to make a memorial gift, the family suggests Lower Cape Fear Hospice, 1414 Physicians Drive, Wilmington, NC 28401.

A Tyndall Service.