Cleta Imogene Mason Wright was born on December 18, 1919, to Ruby Eunice Peyton Mason and Cletas Ato Mason in Eufaula, OK. Imogene graduated from Riverside High School in Ft. Worth TX and went on to attend business school before securing a position with IBM. She worked for IBM until she married Thomas Jefferson (Jeff) Wright Jr. They met at the bowling alley on September 5, 1945, after Jeff returned from his tour of duty in Europe during WWII. They were engaged in December and married on March 7, 1946.
Jeff and Imogene moved to Garland, TX in 1947. Jeff went to work for Byer-Rolnick who owned the Resistol hat brand. Imogene worked for Kraft Foods. They were a happy couple who made lasting friendships. They lived on Saturn Rd, Devonshire, Ridgecrest, Patricia Lane, and finally on Wildgrove Drive. Jeff passed away shortly after they celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary.
In 1950 Jeff and Imogene adopted their first child, a son, David Barry Wright through Hope Cottage Adoption Center. In 1957 they adopted their second child, a daughter, Carole Ann Wright, from Hope Cottage as well. They were members of St. David’s Episcopal Church in Garland. The God parents they chose for their children were a mix of the closest friends they had made during their time in Garland, Vernon and Betty Schiller, Paul and Anna Deaton, and Jim and Gloria Sides.
Imogene’s favorite pastime as a young woman was dancing. As she got older, playing duplicate bridge became a priority. She also learned to crotchet and do needle point with her friends at stitch and b$tch. Imogene’s other passion was shopping, especially for shoes!
When Jeff retired from Byer-Rolnick he went into real-estate. Imogene decided that, to support her hair, nails, and shoes habit, she would work part-time, and went to work for Sears in the catalogue order department. This came in handy when Cabbage Patch Kids were the rage.
Imogene is preceded in death by her parents, her beloved husband Jeff, son David of Garland, TX and sister Virginia McLean of Greenville, SC.
She is survived by her daughter, Carole Wright Haskell, and the most wonderful son in law Dave Haskell; three grandchildren, Jason B. Wright (Tiffany), Jennifer L. Miller (Travis), and Susan M. Golsby (Darnell); and great-grandchildren Jayden Wright; Gabrielle, Arabella, and Joshua Miller; Yara Anne and Dakari Golsby; a niece and several nephews.
The family will receive friends from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM, Saturday, March 2, 2024 at McMahan's Funeral Home. The funeral service will be 1:00 PM Saturday, March 2, 2024 at McMahan's Funeral Home Chapel with Reverend Richard Thomas officiating . Interment will be at Rutherford County Memorial Cemetery, Forest City, NC.
The family would like to express their gratitude for the loving care from Hilltop Health & Rehabilitation and Carolina Foothills Hospice. In lieu of flowers the family requests that you either plant a tree or contribute to the charity of your choice in honor of Imogene. There is a guest register at www.mcmahansfuneralhome.com. McMahan's Funeral Home & Crematory in charge of arrangements.
To send flowers
to the family or plant a tree
in memory of Cleta Imogene (Mason) Wright, please visit our floral store.