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Deborah Anne (Dee) Wright .png)
Deborah Anne "Dee" Wright passed away peacefully September 24, 2021, at Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital. Dee was born November 7, 1951 at the very same hospital nearly 70 years ago.
Dee is preceded in death by her father, Alfonso Franklin Wright, Jr. DDS, of Blacksburg, VA and by her grandparents, Allie and Maude Wright of Appalachia, VA and Willie and Hattie Potter of Big Stone Gap, VA.
Dee was the second of 3 children of Dr. Al Wright and her mother, Nell Christian Potter Wright. Both were WWII veterans and Dr. Wright also served in the Korean War.
Always up for an adventure and roaming woods and despite the death of her father in 1960, Dee had a fun childhood in Blacksburg, Virginia. She graduated from Blacksburg High School in 1970. She then attended Ferrum Junior College for 2 years and graduated from Virginia Tech in 1975 where she also earned her Master's Degree in Education.
Dee's teaching and coaching career was rich and fulfilling. She won championships in Girls High School Basketball and, beyond coaching, nurtured and guided many young people through those treacherous high school years. Many of her former students and players have reached out to her over the years and appreciated her humor and guidance. Among her teaching and coaching positions were high schools in Luray and Manassas, Roanoke College, Radford High School and finally Salem High School at which she claimed a 187-72 record and two back to back state championships. In 1985 Coach Wright was named Distinguished Alumni of Virginia Tech.
Left to cherish Dee's memory are loving friends and family. Elizabeth (Skippy) Alexander Eldridge originally from Elkin, NC, has been her partner and wife for over 30 years. They have shared many adventures and good times with a great group of friends. Dee will be missed by Skippy's extended family, Tom (Cathy), Matt (Lisa), and Laura Eldridge. Her beloved mother, Nell Potter Wright, will be 100 on November 2. They loved to celebrate their birthdays together and toast the 30 years between them. She is also survived by her older sister, Barbara Still (Gordon) of Raleigh, NC., her younger brother, David (Nathalie) of Myrtle Beach, SC, her nephews, Gray Still, Bryan Still, and Jonathan Wright to whom she was like a second mother. Aunt Dee will forever be the best holiday gift giver, especially for her hidden money and puzzle boxes, and Dee's grand nephew, Ahren who she had already planned for the traditional "Aunt Dee" vacays and trips. The newest member of Dee's family is her grand niece, Emiko Skye Still who was born on August 3, 2021. Dee was looking forward to spoiling Emi and teaching her basketball.
Dee will also be missed by her many friends who have sustained her, partied with her, and shared her life's journey. Dee will be especially missed by her furry "kids", Panda and Houdini.
Dee will be remembered and cherished as a talented coach, teacher, beloved wife, daughter, sister and aunt. She was warm, funny, friendly and kind. She never knew a stranger.
Dee has asked that her ashes be partially interred in Blacksburg's Westview Cemetery beside her father and eventually, her mother, and the remaining scattered on the beach at her beloved Oak Island, NC where she and Skippy spent so many vacations and created memories.
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Ted Shelton (Shelton)
Skippy, I'm sorry I missed meeting you. Dee always had a friendly smile for me, and I'm sorry for your loss. I wish I had words to make it better for you. Ted SheltonPat Graves (Graves)
So very sorry to hear of DeeDee's passing. She kept me laughing thru high school and was such a talented athlete! So many funny memories of her on Myrtle beach trips with the band. Such a loss.
Donna Warshauer (Boone-Caldwell)
I am so sad to hear that we have lost another classmate. Dee was one of the first friends I met when I moved to Blacksburg in August before our senior year. When introduced, I was told that Dee was the "the person to know" - and she really was! She made my transition to BHS at the beginning of my senior year so much easier. I have fun memories riding around in her VW bug with whoever was available to join in! I will always be grateful to Dee for being nice to me (when I probably needed it most) and making me feel welcome at BHS.
Debbie Glossbrenner (Francis)
When I think of Dee, I always picture her smiling and laughing! She will be missed!
Steve Simmers
Always enjoyed being around Dee,she was a good friend.She will be missed.
Doug Kessinger (Conner)
I remember getting off the rickety school bus on Draper and rushing to the playground to join others in a softball game before school. Dee was on the mound, I was wearing my Roger Maris haircut and Wayne Smith was at bat. I wish I could remember all the kids who participated in those early morning softball games. That was my first thought when I read the news Monday morning, but it was not the first time I had remembered the innocence we shared. That wonderful memory became a periodic comet in the years that followed and now it has a name.
Jason Lindsey
I remember recess kickball and tennis ball baseball at the old elementary school in 2nd and 3rd grades and Dee Dee would play with the boys and was always one of the first ten picks. Rest In Peace.
Dickie Redding
Dee was such an enthusiastic and positive influence on our class. Her infectious smile made everyone she met have a better day. It's no wonder that she had such a successful career in coaching. A bright light has been dimmed, but we are grateful for the wonderful memories and our good times together.
Wanda Southern (Geske)
I can't remember ever being in school without Dee Dee. She was always that girl who had skinned knees, dirt on her dress and that sweet smile on her face. When we played tag at recess, she played to win.. I'm so glad I got to talk to her at the last reunion. Her smile was still exactly the same. Rest In Peace.
Mendy McCoy (Harman)
Dee and I were friends all the way back to playing in the sandbox together when we could still run around with no shirts on. She was always someone who people noticed and liked. I loved the line in her tribute that said “she never met a stranger”. Those words are so true!
I am so grateful that we reconnected as adults and got to enjoy several beach trips together with other old buddies from childhood. Those times with Dee and Beth and the others were so special and will always be treasured memories. Every time Dee took a stroll on the beach, she met a new person and came back knowing his or her life history. That was just her nature.
There are countless stories I remember about Dee, like her getting into trouble with Joe Lamoreaux for shooting the bird at passing cars from the bus returning from a band trip. Apparently one of those cars was a police car. Our bus got pulled over and when Mr. Lamoureaux ran up into the bus his face was blazing red and the veins were popping out his neck and he was yelling "DEE DEE". He had no doubt who had done it. That was one of the few times I remember Dee being speechless!
Dee was indeed an unforgettable character. I will miss her very much.