Obituaries – Their Stories Live On

Mr. Herbert Freeman "Pipe” Wright, Jr. was born on February 21, 1931. He departed this life on Wednesday, January 10, 2024.

Herbert was the son of the late Herbert F. Wright Sr. and Helen Ruth Wright. He was one of four children. His brother, Edward Wright, preceded him in death.

Herbert attended the Public Schools of Raleigh County and was a graduate of Stratton High School, where he excelled in sports.

Herbert also attended Bluefield State College. Herbert was employed at Lakin State Hospital. Later, He enlisted in the US Army, where he became a Paratrooper at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Upon his discharge from military service, he returned to Beckley and became an employee of Mountaineer Gas Company until his retirement. In addition, he was an active member of both, the VFW and the American Legion.

Herbert, having been born in a Christian family and following the teaching of his parents, accepted Christ at an early age and joined the Ebenezer Baptist Church.

Hebert is survived by a sister Maryella W. Alston of Nitro, WV and brother, Stuart Lawrence Wright, of Philadelphia, PA; nieces, Rita Smith of Hampton, VA and Ivory Wright of Las Vegas, NV; grand-nephew, Tyler Tolentino of Las Vegas, NV; grandniece, Skyler Tolentino of Las Vegas, NV and a host of friends and church members.

Hebert, to his family and friends, was affectionally known as “Pipe,” a name his grandfather, Richard Wright, joked about his rotund upper body and spiny legs at the sight of his birth. He will be greatly missed.

Memorial service will be 5:00PM Friday, April 5, 2024 at the Ritchie & Johnson Funeral Parlor Chapel 748 S. Fayette St. Beckley with Dr. Sadiki Che Baye officiating.

Inurnment will follow in Greenwood Memorial Park, Beckley.

Email condolences to ritchiejohnsonfuneralparlor@gmail.com.

Arrangements entrusted to Ritchie & Johnson Funeral Parlor, Beckley.