Benjamin Franklin Wright

Benjamin “Ben” Franklin Wright of Jackson, Ga passed away peacefully at the age of 90 on Sunday November 24, 2024, at Walnut Creek Care Home in Dalton, GA. Ben was born in Brookhaven, Ga on February 22, 1934. After graduating from Chamblee High School in 1952, he attended ABAC to study veterinary medicine. He served a year and a half in the USMC before being medically discharged in 1956. He finally accepted a call to be a minister that began when he was at ABAC. He graduated from Ga. State University and then entered Candler School of Theology of Emory University. After years of service in the ministry, he continued his education at Columbia Theological Seminary where he received his Doctor of Ministry. He became a fully ordained minister in the Methodist Church in 1963. Ben served at Philadelphia and Ebenezer Methodist Churches while he was in college.

His first appointment was in Devereux Ga. where he served 5 small churches. In 1967 he was appointed to serve Asbury Methodist church in Augusta. He received his clinical training at Central State Hospital in Milledgeville while serving as an intern chaplain. During this experience he felt a strong call to serve in prison ministry. While remaining a United Methodist minister in 1968 he accepted the position of chaplain at Georgia Diagnostic and Classification Center in Jackson Ga. In 1981 he moved to the Metro correctional facility and then moved into the chief chaplain role for the Department of Corrections. He finished his career with the state at the Al Buress training center where he trained and led crisis groups. He received the Employee of The Year award in 1977. Noting an increase in suicides in prisons, Ben developed suicide prevention materials and programming that were adopted and used throughout the system.  He had a particular gift for and acknowledgment of the benefits of group counseling.  In addition to his chaplaincy, for many years before and after retirement, he led groups in the community for those dealing with grief. He retired from the state in 1997. During the late 1970’s and 80’s he also was a part time minister for the Pleasant Hill United Methodist Church so that they could have services every Sunday.

Ben liked listening to and speaking with people.  He recognized that many of life’s lessons can best be shared through humor.  For almost twenty years he wrote weekly articles for the Jackson Progress Argus.  Using examples from daily life, he wrote of the joys, struggles, and sometimes monotony of work, family, and responsibilities, but those articles almost always included a bit of humor as well as inspiration.

Ben attended the Jackson United Methodist Church. He often taught Sunday School and filled in to preach. He would also fill in to preach at Stark UMC and Jackson Presbyterian Church.

Ben enjoyed framing and had the Wright Corner framing business. Ben was a master craftsman, he built a grandfather clock, furniture, a dollhouse, made pens and other items out of wood. Although he lost a finger on his left hand while in the Marine Corp., he did not let it deter him from his woodworking or anything else he decided to do. It never became a handicap for him.  He enjoyed traveling with his wife and family and visited many places around the globe.

He was an avid deer hunter and enjoyed hunting with his son and grandsons. He enjoyed hunting with a bow and rifle. He had many good stories about hunting.

He enjoyed working in his garden. He grew all of the vegetables that the family enjoying eating throughout the seasons. Ben will be remembered as a very kind, giving, intelligent man who was very good at listening.

Ben was proceeded in death by his wife Geraldine Pressley Wright and his parents Clyde and Laura Wright and brother William “Bill” Wright. He is survived by his son Dan Wright (Laurie) and daughter Gerri R. Wright. He had five grandchildren, Laura Kate Ridley (Tommy), Thomas Wright (Kalin), Daniel Wright, Correll Wright, and Benjamin Wright. He had one great grandchild, Katie Grace Ridley. Sister-in-law’s Eugenia “Jean” Mims, Judy Hauck (Jim), and Mary Wright. Nephews and nieces Richard Chewning (Susan), Joan Bourdon (Roger), John Wright (Nelda), Janice LaFramboise (Joe), and Jeff Wright (Kelly).

The family would like to extend their appreciation to all the caregivers at Walnut Creek Care Home.

There will be a memorial service for both Geraldine and Ben December 21, 2024, at 1:30 at the Jackson United Methodist Church. Visitation will be from 12:00 to 1:30 at the church. In lieu of flowers please send donations to the C.E.R.F house in Jackson Ga.

Haisten Funeral Home of Jackson is assisting the Wright Family.

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