Virginia Ann Wright, age 84, of Gainesville, Georgia, passed away quietly on July 4, 2023. She was born in Baltimore, Maryland, and was the daughter of the late Hubert Smith and Virginia Dare Byers. She was wife to the late Earl Gene Wright.

Known to her friends as Ann, she grew up in the Long Bar Harbor area of Abingdon, Maryland, marrying Earl, the love of her life in 1960. While raising a family, she earned her teaching degree and started her commitment to early childhood education. After earning her Master's degree, Ann continued her life's work as an elementary school teacher for Dekalb County schools, becoming teacher of the year. She was also a committed Christian and dedicated her life to the love of Christ and supported Earl's work as a Gideon volunteer.

After retiring in Blue Ridge with her husband of nearly 56 years, Ann attended First Baptist Church of Blue Ridge and was also a member of the Fannin County Heritage Foundation and Baugh House Museum. She was an avid supporter of local writers and local history, dearly loved arts and crafts, and was particularly fond of painting (and baking cakes and gingerbread cookies!). Ann also supported Earl's love of photography.

Ann is survived by her sister, Jane (Kevin) Fleming; son, James Robin (Carol) Wright, daughter Gina Ann (Becky) Parris, daughter Sheila Lynn (Mike) Stolorena; granddaughters Calyn Wright and Lyndsay Parris; grandsons Michael (Rebecca) Stolorena, Sean Wright, Joshua Parris and Andrew Stolorena; and great-grandson Michael Stolorena, III.

In addition to her parents and husband, Ann was preceded in death by her brother Ralph Byers and sister Beth Gaunt.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to First Baptist Church Blue Ridge, 907 E Main St, Blue Ridge, GA 30513, or to the Fannin County Heritage Foundation, 425 W. First St., Blue Ridge, GA 30513.

A Graveside Service will be held at 12:00 PM on Saturday, July 8, 2023 from Chastain Memorial Park Cemetery in Blue Ridge, Georgia.

Akins-Cobb Funerals & Cremations of Blue Ridge, Georgia is in charge of the arrangements.