Barbara E

Wright

Barbara Elizabeth Wright was born on June 12, 1927, in Teaneck New Jersey. She was the eldest of three children born to John and Alberta Blackman. Her younger brothers, Harold and John are now deceased.

She was raised in Englewood New Jersey's historic fourth ward and educated in the Englewood school system culminating in her graduation from Dwight Morrow High School in 1947. Barbara was a tireless worker, dedicated to her family and community. She worked in many capacities, administrative and the service industry, in both New York and New Jersey. In 1949, she met an ambitious man by the Name of John T. Wright. Love blossomed and they would marry. Their union produced four children; Pamela Valerie (deceased), Renard Gregory (Lakewood, N.J), Jeryl Louise (deceased) and Tami Alberta (Englewood, N.J.). Barbara was in every sense, the Matriarch of the Wright Family. Barbara supported her husband's Entrepreneurial spirit, opening two businesses, Black and White Taxi and Wright's Luncheonette. This while raising children and standing by her husband who would run for political office, becoming the first black councilman in Bergen County in 1952. Thus, adding credibility to the expression that "behind every great man is a great woman." As time moved on the family turned its focus to the restaurant exclusively. With changing times her husband moved into a management position at a new company, leaving the day-to-day operations largely to her. She would continue to raise the children, manage the home, and support the surrounding community. She would feed neighborhood children and adults regardless of their ability to pay, she did so without hesitation. She continued managing all the needs of her family in good and bad times. With such a full plate you wonder where she found the time for two of the things she loved, music, and sports, but she did. She was a regular attendee at the Old Garden and frequented concerts to some of her favorites, such as Sarah Vaughn and her favorite, the immortal Ella Fitzgerald. She would remark about seeing the great Nat King Cole and going backstage to meet him.

In the sports world she often went to see Englewood's own Sherman White, who was also a friend of the family. Wright's luncheonette was a staple in Englewood, and she was the driving force behind its success. Unfortunately, in 1976 her beloved husband died unexpectedly and despite this she continued to work hard, never turning away from the responsibility of raising her children and now her grandchildren.

Later, as she retired from the work at the restaurant, she found other ways to support her community working in voter registration and manning the polls, assuming a roll as a board member for the housing authority she continued to give opportunities to those in need.

To this day she is regarded with Love by all her knew her in every phase of her life. She was through it all a devoted Christian and a member of Shiloh AME Zion Church, following in the footsteps of her mother and grandmother.

Blessed with a colorful and frank way of speaking, Barbara inspires stories of her interaction with friends and family. If you lived in Englewood during her lifetime, odds are you have a Barbara Wright story to tell. It is in this regard that we were all blessed to have had her for 94 years.

Mrs. Wright is survived by two Children, Renard, and Tami, One stepsister Francine and one stepbrother Dwight. Also surviving are her grandchildren; Harold Wright (Englewood), Kyle Wright (Tameka) (Englewood), Rashay Wright (Shameka) (New York), Rafael Williams (Mia) (Englewood), Shikira Cretella (Eugene) (Lakewood), John Wright II (Esmaylin) (Bogota), Shanay Taylor (Englewood), Brianna Wright (Lakewood), Justin Wright (Englewood). Great grandchildren; Hassan Renouf (Jackson), Raven Wright (Hackensack), Nevaeh Wright (Maryland), Naomi and Damon Cretella (Lakewood), Rhyan M and Rylee J Williams (Englewood), Jaelyn Wright (Bogota), as well as a host of nieces, nephews, and friends.