Dolores M. Wright
1945 – 2024
Beloved Sister, Devoted Friend, Woman of Service
Proud Member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
Proud Member of 100 Black Women Mississippi Chapter.
About Dolores
Born December 25, 1927, in New Orleans to Clarence Mitchell and Louise Stampley.
Called herself a “naturalized” Mississippian – Jackson shaped her development.
Education: Smith Robertson Elementary → Lanier High School → Tougaloo College (B.A. in English).
Met and married Harry L. Wright at New Mount Zion Baptist Church. Moved to New York City together to begin their careers. Harry became Deputy Director, Federal Office for Civil Rights. Dolores was a high school English teacher for 28 years, retiring in 1983.
Earned three Master’s degrees: – Teaching of English (Columbia University) – Corporate & Political Communication (Fairfield University) – Christian Education (Reformed Theological Seminary) Received an Honorary Doctorate in Humane Letters from Natchez College.Moved to New York City together to begin their careers. Harry became Deputy Director, Federal Office for Civil Rights. Dolores was a high school English teacher for 28 years, retiring in 1983.
Active member of New Mount Zion Baptist Church. Director of Youth Activities, sang tenor in the Inspirational Choir. Taught Sunday School, After-School Tutoring, Leadership School, and Vacation Bible School. Corresponding Secretary, Jackson District Congress of Christian Education (66 Baptist churches).
Active member of Beta Delta Omega Chapter. First President of the Sorority’s Foundation, CAP, Inc. Embodied AKA’s motto of “Service to All Mankind.”
Historian, National Coalition of 100 Black Women (Central Mississippi Chapter).
Board member: Association for Preservation of Smith Robertson School and Alamo Theater.
Dedicated supporter of Tougaloo College.
Dolores’s Journey
Born in New Orleans
Born on Christmas Day to Clarence Mitchell and Louise Stampley
Education in Mississippi
Smith Robertson Elementary, Lanier High School, Tougaloo College (B.A. English)
Married Harry L. Wright at New Mount Zion Baptist Church, moved back to New York City
Teaching Career
28 years as High School English teacher in NYC, earned three Master’s degrees
Returned to Jackson
Came home to Mississippi with Harry, renewed church membership
Church leadership, AKA Foundation President, community involvement
Tributes & Honors
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Celebrating Dolores
Celebrating Her Life
Service Reflection
Her Homegoing Celebration:
- Beautiful service held at New Mount Zion Baptist Church
- Solo: “May the Work I’ve Done Speak for Me”
- Tributes from family, AKA sisters, and church family
- Eulogy celebrating her life of service
- A fitting farewell to a remarkable woman
Final Resting Place:
- Garden Memorial Park
- Laid to rest beside her beloved husband Harry
Church Legacy
New Mount Zion Baptist Church
- Her spiritual home for decades
- Where she served as Director of Youth Activities
- Where she sang tenor in the Inspirational Choir
- Where she taught and mentored countless young people
- Her church family will forever remember her dedication
Family Gratitude
“We are deeply grateful for the outpouring of love and support during this time. Dolores would have been touched by the many tributes and memories shared by all whose lives she influenced.”
Aaron Turner
Larry Turner
Until We Meet Again
Dolores Mitchell Wright lived a life that exemplified grace, service, and unwavering faith. From her Christmas Day birth in 1927 to her final days in 2024, she touched countless lives through her dedication to education, her devotion to New Mount Zion Baptist Church, and her commitment to the sisterhood of Alpha Kappa Alpha.
Her legacy lives on in every student she taught, every young person she mentored, every church member she inspired, and every AKA sister she encouraged. Dolores showed us that a life well-lived is measured not in years, but in the love we give and the service we render to others.
“When the good Lord shall require an account of my stewardship, I want to be able to give Him a good strong answer!”
Final Farewell
“Rest in peace, dear Dolores. Your work on earth is complete, and what beautiful work it was. Until we meet again in glory, your memory will be our blessing, and your example will be our guide.”