On the morning of March 6, 2021 Marie McGehee Wright was peacefully welcomed into the loving arms of Jesus. She had been living at the Dulles Health and Rehab Center in Herndon, Virginia recovering from a stroke suffered in August 2019.

Marie is the daughter of the late Malcolm and Blanche McGehee, Louisa, VA. She is preceded in death by her parents and her husband, Orrin Melvin Wright.

Marie, affectionally known as “Nana”, is survived by one sister, Doris Shumake (Buddy) Orange, VA, one daughter, Julie Riddle (Jeff) Chantilly, VA, two sons, Jason (Maria) Bealeton, VA and Tyler (Stephanie) Hedgesville, WV; Six grandchildren Ashley Keller, Jeffrey Riddle Jr, Rosa Hernandez, Edwin Hernandez, Jessica Wright, Gavin Wright, and one great-grand daughter, Eliana Hernandez.

Marie was born on October 23, 1936 in Louisa, VA. Upon graduation from Louisa High School, she moved to the greater metropolitan Washington DC area and stayed with her aunt and uncle to pursue a secretarial job with the Central Intelligence Agency. She met a soon to be lifelong friend, Bonnie Stephenson at Capitol Hill Metropolitan Baptist Church. The two soon became roommates.

It was at the CIA she met the love of her life, Orrin Melvin Wright. The two accidentally bumped into one another at the local coffee pot. After a short dating period they were married on November 22, 1958. Three children and nearly 56 years later the two were finally separated when Orrin heard the call from Heaven’s Gate (October 18, 2014).

Marie was known as a world traveler having visited nearly all the fifty states. Most of the ventures was with her best friend Bonnie and her sister Doris. Orrin could not make many of the trips as his work schedule prevented it. Orrin’s work did provide Marie and the family an opportunity to see the world. The Wright family spent time in Tehran, Iran, Singapore, Rome, Italy, and Geneva, Switzerland. Marie used those stops as hubs to see the surrounding area. She was always willing and ready to go anyplace at the drop of a hat.
Orrin and Marie settled into the Centreville area in 1969. They bought a house on Crenshaw Drive, finished raising their kids, and started attending Centreville Baptist Church. Except for a couple of short tours to Rome and Geneva, Marie and her beloved husband were Centreville residents.

In the early 1990’s Marie was one of the charter members of Centreville Baptist Church’s God’s Own Golden Oldies (GOGOs). With Marie’s passing, only one charter member remains, Margaret Dicus.

Marie served in several positions at CBC. She would help with the Wednesday Night Dinners, clean the sanctuary after the services, and was the Sunday morning receptionist, just to name a few. She faithfully and respectfully served where needed.

The memories of Marie will last for a lifetime. She will be sorely missed. We are comforted to know that she is in the arms of Jesus and enjoying eternity with her beloved Orrin.

Memorial contributions may take the form of a donation to the Centreville Baptist Church, 15100 Lee Highway, Centreville, VA 20120.

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