Cathryn Alice "Katie" Wright

Cathryn Alice “Katie” (Mitchell) Wright, 91, was finally called home to her loving Father, Lord and Savior after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease in the wee hours of the morning October 31, 2013. Katie was the eldest daughter of Andrew Carnegie (A. C.) “Bolie” and Claudia Mae (Platt) Mitchell. She was born July 16, 1922 in Bokchito, Oklahoma, where she and her 4 brothers and 1 sister were born and raised. Katie married Orman Wright in Hugo, Oklahoma, on May 30, 1942. Orman, the brother of Joe Wright and Harold Wright also of Bokchito, Oklahoma, preceded her in death after 60 years of marriage in 2002. Together, they had 2 sons, Dr. Harold Mitchell Wright (Optometrist in Madill and Durant), and Robert Stephen (Steve) Wright (previous owner of E&M Clothiers and who now teaches secondary education at Ardmore public schools); both were born in the Haney Clinic in Durant and were raised in Durant, Oklahoma. Katie graduated from Bokchito High School at the tender age of 15 and then proceeded directly to college at Southeastern Oklahoma State University (SOSU) from which she graduated at age 19 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Education and Elementary Education double major. She taught secondary education for Bokchito High School for 7 years and then taught an additional 4 years at a Senior College. She earned her Master of Business Education at the University of Oklahoma in 1961 and continued with additional studies and teaching at North Texas State University and East Texas State University. Other previous employers were AAA Farm Office in Durant and Paris, Tx., Stenographer for the U.S. Corps of Engineers in Denison, Texas, and she helped her husband run a retail grocery store for 4 years. Incorporated into this time frame while she was attending OU for her M.B. E, she also taught in a secondary education school and she served 1 semester at OU as a part-time teaching assistant. On July 1, 1955, she began her career with Southeastern Oklahoma State University; a University she loved and remained loyal to for 31 years. The first 8 years of employment at SOSU was as the Chief Clerk at the Business Office. She then began her career as a full time Instructor and Assistant Professor of Business Education and Secretarial Administration for 21 and ½ years and part time instructor for an additional 2 and ½ years. During this time, she was an advisor for students enrolled in the secretarial area of study, helped students develop occupational intelligence in the area of business education and secretarial administration, helped students acquire certain knowledge and skills in business subjects for personal use, and helped prepare students for a more effective study of business beyond college degree level. She was a senior sponsor for Pi Omega Pi, National Business Education Fraternity, for 21 years receiving national recognition for service to the organization both locally and nationally, and was additionally a member of Delta Pi Epsilon, National Graduate Business Education Honor Fraternity and Delta Kappa Gamma, National Honor Society for women in Education. Further, she served as the Secretary for the Southeastern Division of O.E.A.; Assistant with curriculum contests and assisted with speech tournaments. She set an example of hard work and dedication for us all. After many years of service to the educational system at SOSU, she was found to deserve special recognition for her faithfulness of service in the Oklahoma Educational System. Adopted the 20th day of June 1986, at the time of her retirement, the Board of Regents of Oklahoma Colleges bestowed upon Mrs. Wright the honorary title of Assistant Professor Emeritus, and extended to her the expression of commendation and appreciation for her many contributions to the success of Southeastern Oklahoma State University to a person who had served so faithfully and honorably as an educator of the young people of Oklahoma. Many who had taken courses under Katie reported that though she was a strict instructor whom expected much from each student, expressed that she had made a definite positive impact on their lives and they appreciated the time and effort she provided for each student so as to ensure they would get the best education they could while in her classes. Others remember how she would take time out of her own personal time to host “tea parties with crumpets and cucumber sandwiches” in order to help introduce many of the young women she mentored ways in which to portray and embrace “lady-like qualities”; for Katie was a true lady. Always wanting a daughter, though loving the sons she had with her whole heart, she found great gifts and blessings from her students that allowed her to have “girls of her own”. This blessed her life greatly. Katie enjoyed playing the piano, was the first piano teacher for her granddaughter Angela, singing in the Presbyterian church choir, being involved in her social fraternities and social functions after her retirement, collecting antiques, spending time with her children and grandchildren, traveling, gardening and planting flowers, reading constantly, and shopping and spending time with her dearest friend, Syble (Swarts) Jones- who also taught at Southeastern and preceded her in death by 5 days. She was preceded in death by her parents, grandson Todd Orman Wright, husband Orman Wright, brothers Jack Mitchell, Grigg and wife Fay Mitchell, Thad and wife Anna Mae Mitchell and Borg Mitchell. She is survived by her sons Dr. Harold M. Wright and wife Shirley of Kingston, Steve Wright and wife Betsy of Ardmore, granddaughter Angela Wright-Daniel and husband Joe Daniel of Durant, grandson Jeff Wright and fiancé Abby Barton of Ardmore, sister Melba Minshall of Durant, great-granddaughter Keeleigh Newman and great-grandson Spencer Newman (children of granddaughter Angela), Sister-in-law Joy Clay of Durant, Sister-in-law Melba Mitchell (Jack’s wife) of Hurst, Tx., nieces Cheryl Previte and husband Charles, Pam Shelton and husband Don, Great nieces Adrian Previte, Haley Shelton, Hannah Shelton, and great nephew Jack Previte. Until she was robbed of her uncanny memory and ability to entertain by Alzheimer’s disease, Katie was a beautifully unique, gifted, and loving soul with brilliant blue eyes that would light a room when she smiled. She never stopped teaching until she could teach no more due to illness. Her resilient vibrance for life will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her. She was a treasure. A very special thank you must be extended to several individuals: Stephanie Norris Davidson for all the help she provided for the gathering of information about this wonder ladies life, career and accomplishments, Dr. David Garvin for the wonderful above/beyond care he extended to her, and to the entire staff at Southern Pointe Long Term Care Facility who provided such loving and tender care for her right up until the very end. We cannot thank any of you enough for all your heartfelt, loving and thoughtful kindness. You are all a blessing to our family. Family hour for viewing will be at Brown’s Funeral Service Sunday, November 3rd, from 5-7 p.m. Graveside Services will be held at Highland Cemetery at 1:00 p.m. Monday, November 4th, 2013 for all who would like to attend. Heaven surely gained another Angel this week. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.brownsfuneralservice.com. Arrangements are under the direction of Brown’s Funeral Service, Durant. PDF Printable Version

Cathryn Alice "Katie" Wright

July 16, 1922 - October 31, 2013