Curtis Hylton Wright

Mr. Curtis Hylton Wright, 88, of Mount Airy, died Saturday, November 17, 2012. Mr. Wright was born June 19, 1924, in Surry County, the son of Grover C. and Roxie Ashburn Wright. Mr. Wright retired from Central Telephone Company after 43 years of service. Currently, he was the chairman of Surrey Bank and Trust in Mount Airy as well as a private investor. Mr. Wright was a member of Haymore Memorial Baptist Church, where he was devoted to missions through the Surry Baptist Association making many trips across the United States and Africa. He was chairman of the Mount Airy Housing Authority for over 30 years, a past master and member of Granite Masonic Lodge # 322 AF and AM, and a member of Mount Airy Chapter #18 Order of the Eastern Star. Mr. Wright was Past Worthy Grand Patron of North Carolina Grand Chapter of Order of the Eastern Star from 1992-1993. Recently, he was appointed Ambassador to Italy for the International Order of the Eastern Star. Mr. Wright was past president of the Mount Airy Lions Club, where he was a member for over 60 years. In 1968, he was awarded the Mount Airy Fire Department's Fireman of the Year. In addition, Mr. Wright was very involved in numerous positions, including The Piedmont Triad Entrepreneurial Network, where he was awarded the Spirit Award in 2008 for his involvement in promoting emerging entrepreneurs. He was well known for his investment business wisdom. He was awarded the Longleaf Pine Award by Governor Dan K. Moore. Surviving are his wife of 62 years, Betty Johnson Wright of the home; a daughter and son-in-law, Tamra and Ronnie Thomas of Winston-Salem; three sisters and two brothers-in-law; Alease W. Lambert of Mount Airy, Loudene and Paul Riggs of Kernersville, and Barbara and Lindsay Holcomb of Mount Airy; a brother and sister in law, Rayburn and Evelyn Wright of Mount Airy; and several nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, Mr. Wright was preceded in death by his brothers, Staff Sgt. Dale David Wright and Cletis Goodwin Wright and his wife Helen Wright; and his brother-in-law, R. C. Lambert. The funeral service will be held Tuesday, November 20, 2012, at 2:00 PM at Haymore Memorial Baptist Church, with the Rev. Robert McCrary officiating. Interment will follow in Oakdale Cemetery, with Masonic rites conducted by Granite Masonic Lodge #322 AF and AM. The family will receive friends Monday from 6:00 until 8:00 PM at Moody Funeral Home in Mount Airy, and other times at his home, 1234 Greenhill Road, Mount Airy. Flowers will be accepted, and memorial contributions may be made to Haymore Memorial Baptist Church, P.O. Box 27, Mount Airy, NC 27030.