Tommie Mae Wright

It is with heavy hearts and profound gratitude for a life well lived that we announce the passing of our beloved matriarch, Tommie Mae Wright, who left this world peacefully on April 1, 2026. Born on January 1, 1940, in Blakely, Georgia, Tommie Mae was a beacon of love and strength to all who knew her. She was the cherished daughter of Irene and George Price and was welcomed into heaven by her dear husband, Rafford Harold Wright, her sisters Ilene Wade and Rosie Price, her brothers Eugine, Willie Ralph, and Donell Price, her precious granddaughter Michelle I. Wright, grandson Naim J. Wright, and sons-in-law James Earl Davis and Donnie L. Boykins. Tommie Mae's journey began in the warmth of family and community, values she carried with her throughout her life. She married the love of her life, Rafford, on June 9, 1958, in a simple ceremony in Jersey City. Their union was a testament to enduring love and companionship, and together they moved to Newark, NJ, where they nurtured eight children and built a vast network of friends and family. Their home was more than a residence; it was a haven where love, laughter, and kindness were the order of the day. Tommie Mae's career journey led her to work in several factories, most notably at Monsanto in Kenilworth, NJ, where she contributed to making parts for greenhouses. However, her true calling and passion were found in her role as a caretaker of her home and family. She dedicated herself selflessly to the well-being of her children, grandchildren, and an extended family that thrived under her nurturing spirit. Her love for cooking, music, and movies, especially westerns featuring Clint Eastwood, entertained her through the years, as did her enjoyment of playing slot machines in Pennsylvania and New Jersey casinos. Known for her fondness for Trident Tropical Fruit gum, Tommie Mae’s simple joys and interests were reflections of her vibrant and adventurous spirit. Tommie Mae was often lovingly referred to as "everyone's grandmother." Her open-door policy and even wider open arms made all who entered feel safe, loved, and cherished. Her beauty and protective nature endeared her to everyone she met, leaving an indelible mark on all who crossed her path. While Tommie Mae did not have a formal church home, she considered herself a Baptist, living out her faith through acts of kindness, charity, and compassion. Tommie Mae leaves behind a loving legacy through her daughters, Catherine Davis, Debbie Wright, Delores Wright, Carolyn D. Wright, Johnnie P. Wright Higgs, Rory Elizabeth Wright Baldwin, Victoria Boykins, her only son Johnny B. Wright, and sons-in-law Karon Higgs and Steven Baldwin. Her spirit lives on in her grandchildren, Rashid R. Wright, Samad U. Wright, Kiuna D. Wright, Dalois Reese, Artie Wright, Ameis Wright, Atisha Wright, Kareema Higgs, Sabrina Perry Brown, Katrina Perry Smith, Dominique K. Wright Abrahante, Nasir U. Wright, Shaque K. Wright, Johnny A. Wright, and her great-grandchildren, Majid N. Owens, Makaylah N. Owens, and many more great-grandchildren and extended family who cherished her presence. A special thanks is extended to her loving family—Kiuna, Carolyn, Majid, and Makaylah—whose care and support were a source of comfort to Tommie Mae in her final years. A celebration of Tommie Mae Wright’s remarkable life will be held on April 9, 2026, at West Peddie Memorial, 572 Broad Street, Newark, NJ. Her spirit will forever be a guiding light for her family and all who loved her. "To the world, she was one person, but to us, she was the world."