Robert O. Wright, I, was born in Wilmington, Delaware to the late Jacqueline L. Dorsey Wright Evans and Harry S. Wright. While growing up, Robert was affectionately given various nicknames including Oxy, Baby Bobby, Rob, and Robert O., just to name a few. Rob was educated in the Wilmington Public School System and graduated from P.S. DuPont High School.
Robert attended Clark College, now Clark Atlanta University, where he was initiated into Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated and became a Life Member as soon as he was eligible. Robert made a difference in every organization that he joined. This was evident by his numerous awards and recognitions such as the 1990 Leon V. Anderson Brother of the Year Award by the Gamma Theta Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated and the 1997 Clark College United Negro College Fund Distinguished Service Citation.
On February 27, 1982, Robert married the love of his life, Deborah Ann Brinkley. God blessed their union with two sons, Robert II and Justen. Faithful and dedicated is the best way to describe Robert’s commitment to his family. Everyone knows Robert’s love for family was vast. He did everything he could to help his family. He always attended family events and was often the life of the party because of his jokes and constant teasing. As the family historian, Robert often provided the specific details about family and friends that others could not remember.
Robert’s love of funeral service began when he was 14 years old. The time spent talking with and learning about the life of a funeral service professional and business owner from Mr. Edward R. Bell drew him to this career field. Robert approached everything with determination and was so passionate about pursuing his dream of becoming a licensed funeral director and business owner that he enrolled in the American Academy of McAllister Institute of Funeral Service in New York, NY. After graduating from McAllister in 1981, he persevered and completed his apprenticeship in spite of the many difficulties and challenges that he faced. God blessed him to be able to open the House of Wright Mortuary, Inc. on August 9, 1987. Later in his career, Robert obtained his license to practice in the state of Maryland and expanded the business to include additional locations in Smyrna and Penns Grove, NJ.
In 1993, Robert joined Bethel African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church under the pastorate of Reverend Dr. Silvester Scott Beaman. Robert was a faithful member who willingly served on the Trustee Board, sang briefly with the King of Kings Choir, and served with excellence on the Usher Board. Over the years, Robert gave freely of his extensive organizational knowledge and leadership skills by serving in various roles. He was a former President of Bethel AME Church‘s Usher Board, former President of the Interdenominational Church Ushers Association of Delaware, former Worthy Patron of Star in the East Lodge #1, former Noble of the Mystic Shriner Suakim Temple #60, and previously appointed as a member of the Delaware State Board of Funeral Services.
Robert’s current organizational affiliations included being a Prince Hall Mason, Life Member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated, member of the Interdenominational Church Ushers Association, member of the National United Church Ushers Association of America, member of the National Funeral Directors Association, and a member of the National Funeral Directors and Morticians Association.
Robert was preceded in death by his parents, the late Jacqueline Dorsey Wright Evans, Harry S. Wright and Raleigh S. Evans, Sr., Grandmother, Estella Dorsey; Uncles, Herbert, Donald, and Robert (namesake) Dorsey; Aunt, Alice M. Congo; Godfather, Wesley Floyd West, Sr.; and father-in-law, Warren E. Brinkley, Sr.
