Georgeva Gerald Wright, 98, visits with Shirlene Thompson, 80, on July 29 during the Thompson/Ashley Reunion in Lumberton.
                                Georgeva Gerald Wright, 98, visits with Shirlene Thompson, 80, on July 29 during the Thompson/Ashley Reunion in Lumberton.
                                 Courtesy photo

Georgeva Gerald Wright, 98, visits with Shirlene Thompson, 80, on July 29 during the Thompson/Ashley Reunion in Lumberton.

Georgeva Gerald Wright, 98, visits with Shirlene Thompson, 80, on July 29 during the Thompson/Ashley Reunion in Lumberton.

Courtesy photo

<p>Shown is Georgeva Gerald Wright’s fifth-grade class at Fairmont Middle School in 1978. Wright, who turns 95 on Sunday, inspired many students to walk her footsteps and become teachers during her 35 years as an educator.</p>
                                 <p>Courtesy photo</p>

Shown is Georgeva Gerald Wright’s fifth-grade class at Fairmont Middle School in 1978. Wright, who turns 95 on Sunday, inspired many students to walk her footsteps and become teachers during her 35 years as an educator.

Courtesy photo

<p>Georgeva Gerald Wright and other descendants of Alexander H. Thompson, and local and state officials celebrate in 2015 the unveiling of a state historical marker recognizing the Thompson Institute, which stood where W.H. Knuckles Elementary School is now.</p>

Georgeva Gerald Wright and other descendants of Alexander H. Thompson, and local and state officials celebrate in 2015 the unveiling of a state historical marker recognizing the Thompson Institute, which stood where W.H. Knuckles Elementary School is now.

Editor’s Note: much of this story was originally published in the Aug. 8, 2020 Robesonian.

LUMBERTON —Each year at the Thompson/Ashley reunion, family members from near and far travel to honor the family sages, the oldest members attending the gathering.

Last year, Georgeva Gerald Wright, 99, accepted the honor.

Wright, a long-standing resident of the Hilly Branch community of Robeson County, recently celebrated her birthday with 200 members of her family during the annual reunion, which took place this year at the Southeastern Agricultural Center in Lumberton.

Many Robesonians, past students and countless others from various walks of life, continue to applaud this year’s sage for her many achievements, all citing her 35-year dedication to teaching and learning, her impact on the improving lives of local residents, her ability to build/nurture vital community educational partnerships, her lifetime of church support and her unwavering Christian walk.

Wright was born on Aug. 23, 1925, in Lumberton, where she attended the “Lil House” primary school, formerly Barnes School, completed her high school education at Hilly Branch High School as salutatorian of the graduating class of 1942 at the age of 16. Wright attended Fayetteville Teachers College receiving her Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education, class of 1948.

In 1948, Wright began her profession as a fourth- and fifth-grade elementary teacher at the historic Rosenwald High School in Fairmont, formerly the John Lewis School.

During this time, she met and married Booker Taliaferro Wright in 1951. They were blessed with two beloved daughters, Andrea Wright Banks-Zuniga, a director of Housing, Development and Planning, and Cynthia Wright-Richard, an Engineer and Mathematics educator; along with three grandsons, Wallace Everett Banks Jr., John-Wright St. Clair Zuniga, and Keith Marshem Richard.

In 1958, she relocated to High Point, where she taught fifth grade for 15 years at Leonard Street Elementary School and A.J. Griffin Junior High School. She advanced her credentials, achieving her master’s degree in Elementary Education at A&T State University in 1966.

Family has always been first and foremost in her life; therefore, Wright returned to Robeson County to be a “care giver” for her ailing elderly parents, Carson M. Gerald, a local farmer, and Maggie Thompson Gerald, a former Home Economics teacher from the renowned state-recognized Thompson Institute. During this period, she taught fifth-sixth graders at Fairmont Middle School for 15 years.

Many of her students say they unequivocally use the skills and values as adults today, due in large part to lessons learned in Wright’s classes. Many of her students still reside in Robeson County and are successful members of the community.

She retired in 1982 after serving children and their communities for 35 years.

When asked for some Georgeva Gems of Advice for today’s educators, she replied, “Treat ALL students alike. They can detect inequality and unfairness, and their behavior will reflect it. School leaders and teachers must be four things: Know Your Craft, Be Consistent, Be Firm, Show Love. Students — at all levels of learning — must set clear goals, plan your organized steps to reach your goals, ‘trust the Lord and let God direct your path (Proverbs 3:5-6)’. Stay supportive of and active in your church and community to make them better. Never miss your chance to vote.”

Wright was active in many professional, civic and religious organizations. She was a dedicated Adult Choir musician, missionary chairperson and Sunday School teacher at her home church at Hilly Branch Baptist Church, Back Swamp Road, founded by her relative, Rev. A.H. Alexander. She also established the first Vacation Bible School and co-authored the first written history for Hilly Branch Baptist Church.

Other civic organizations and leadership positions have included the Grand Chapter Order of the Eastern Star; Dawn of Morning Chapter No. 294, as the Worthy Matron; former treasurer for the Lumber River Housing Development, Inc., an affiliation of the Lumber River Baptist Association since 1983; chairperson for the numerous events for the Hilly Branch High School Alumni Association; and a veteran member of the North Carolina Association of Educators.

Wright has always found pleasure and consolation in helping others. Much of her energy has been devoted to bringing peace, guidance and happiness to her family and others. In addition to her hobbies of staying abreast of politics, being an avid reader of literature, she is relied upon for her vast/accurate knowledge about her Thompson-Ashley-Gerald families’ documented genealogical records — some as far back as the mid-1770s — historical legacies, community impact such as her ancestral founding of Thompson Institute and five Robeson County Churches, which still exist today.

She has a plethora of many ancestral stories/lore that she enjoys passing on to today’s generations. She has enjoyed an array of travel experiences and her sponsorship of many trips to sensational places such as Hawaii, California, New Orleans, New York, Grand Canyon, Las Vegas and many other popular U.S. places.

As a world traveler, she has adventured to four countries: Mexico, Canada, France and Italy. She has seen the splendor of the Eiffel Tower of Paris, the Louvre of France, the Vatican City of Rome, and the St. Peter’s Basilica. A cherished memory of her’s is when she prayed in the Sistine Chapel. Her many vacations included famous national and international museums, renown gardens and palaces.

Wright is a shining reflection of a blessed life of enriching opportunities, servant-leadership, and an abiding love for family, children and others.

This article was submitted by Georgeva Wright’s niece Dr. Demetria M. Taylor, of Stone Mountain, Georgia; and daughters Andrea Wright-Banks Zuniga, of Lumberton, and Cynthia Wright-Richard, of Glendale, Arizona.