Billie Wright

Billie Ruth Garrison Wright, a devoted pastor’s wife, beloved mother and grandmother, and cherished friend, passed away peacefully in her sleep on Monday, October 27, 2025, at the age of 92, in Fayetteville. Her life was characterized by a deep and abiding Christian faith, a joyful spirit, and a lifelong commitment to educating others.

Billie Ruth was born in Lufkin, Texas, on August 27, 1933, to William Cornelius and Hattie Ella Fenley Garrison. Drawing naturally from a background steeped in education—from her father’s vocation as a schoolteacher to her own education and experience—Billie Ruth was a lifelong teacher, sharing her knowledge and wit whether instructing school children in English while her husband pastored a small Texas church, leading church education programs, or authoring humorous and instructive essays like “65 Things I’ve Learned in my First 65 Years” and “How to Stay out of the Nursing Home.”

Billie Ruth graduated from Lufkin Senior High School in 1950, graduated from Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, Texas in 1954, graduated from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas in 1958, and then achieved her most important and her favorite degree, her “M-R-S degree” in 1962, when she married Bob.  Billie Ruth met her future husband, the Rev. Bobby L. Wright, at Second Baptist Church in Little Rock. The two were married on August 25, 1962, and embarked on a joyful journey of faith, family, and ministry, enjoying 55 deeply cherished years of marriage until his passing in 2018. Billie Ruth was preceded in death by her parents and her loving husband, Bob Wright.

She is survived by her devoted children and grandchildren: her son, John Wright and his wife, Cara, of Fayetteville, and their children, Melanie of Los Alamos, New Mexico and David of Fayetteville; and her daughter, Jennifer Leach of Naples, Florida, and her children, Carsten and Garrison, both of Naples.

The funeral will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, November 1, 2025, at Bear Creek Springs Baptist Church with Bro. Rickey Moore officiating. Burial will be in Maplewood Cemetery at Harrison under the direction of Holt Memorial Chapel.

A visitation will be held from 10 to 11 a.m., prior to the service at Bear Creek Springs Baptist Church. The family welcomes all who wish to honor Billie Ruth’s life.

Memorials may be made to Bear Creek Springs Baptist Church, 179 Devitos Loop, Harrison, Arkansas.

The online obituary and guestbook are available at www.HoltChapel.com.