Beverly Wright

Bev Wright, age 90, of Abilene, TX peacefully passed away on July 3, 2025 in Abilene, Texas.

The Celebration of Bev's life will be on Monday, July 14, 2025 and will begin with Graveside Services at 10:00 am in Elmwood Memorial Park, 5750 US 277, Abilene 79606. The Funeral Service is immediately following at 11:00 am at First Central Presbyterian Church, 400 Orange St., Abilene 79601, with Pastor Cliff Stewart officiating. The Hamil Family Funeral Home is coordinating arrangements.

Beverly Jean Brooks was born in Topeka, Kansas on June 25, 1935, to loving parents, Joe E. Brooks and Lena Elma Peterson Brooks. She was the first of three children.

Beverly moved several times in her young life, due to her father's career with National Cash Register Company (NCR). In 1953 she graduated from Little Rock Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas.

She attended TCU in Fort Worth, Texas, where Beverly worked in the school library to earn spending money and she pledged Chi Omega. It was through connections with high school friends in other fraternities and sororities that she met her future husband Don Wright, who was as an SAE at SMU in Dallas. She transferred to SMU. Once they became a real item, Beverly changed her major from Fashion Design to Home Economics. She received that degree in 1957.

On June 22, 1957, Beverly Jean Brooks married John Donald Wright in Little Rock, Arkansas. Together they made their home in Abilene, Texas, where they had two children, Wendy Lynne ('59) and Brooks Allen ('60).

While Don worked for his family's West Texas Linen Supply Co., Bev served as a homemaker to her family. She was a talented seamstress for our family, and a creative cook who turned Vegetarian for a few years. Bev always reminded people to wash their hands when they came in the house. She was a wonderful hostess in her home on River Oaks Circle for a Bridge Club; a Dinner Club of couples (many of whom had Abilene roots); a Garden Club; and other casual get togethers with friends and neighbors.

Bev also served her community of Abilene in a variety of ways. Among other volunteer activities, she was an active and sustaining member of the Junior League of Abilene; an active member of the local chapter of Chi Omega alumni, serving as President at one point in time; a participant and supporter of Los Aficionados, an organization supporting local art initiatives; a Charter Member of the Hospice of Abilene Auxiliary; and a "Friend" of the Abilene Art Museum. For decades, she and Don supported the Grace Museum and other art communities in Abilene. She was an active member of First Central Presbyterian Church and of Bible Study groups at other local churches as well. For many years, Don and Bev hosted church groups in their home.

Once her children were grown up, and Don had changed careers to be a Family Counselor, Bev decided to become a massage therapist. They moved to Denver, CO and Boulder, CO around 1979 for her studies. She received her initial certification from Boulder School of Massage in 1981; she was a Registered Massage Therapist in Texas for 25 years. Her career helped provide caring massage services in a safe environment for herself and her clients.

Bev wants to be remembered as the "Mother" or founder of the "River Oaks Road Hogs", a morning walking group she organized in the 1990's, and through the years the group was large enough to be featured in the "Abilene SCENE, The Health Issue"; as well as in the Abilene Reporter News, (you can Google it). She also loved to recommend and discuss nutritional advice. Bev especially wants to remind people to ask restaurants to serve dark green lettuce or to send back the pale lettuce as she consistently did.

Bev is preceded in death by her husband of 67 years, John Donald (Don) Wright, her parents Joe Easton Brooks and Lena Peterson Brooks, her brother Larry Brooks, her sister Virginia (Ginny) Shell and brother-in-law Bob Shell, and infant grandson Michael Robert Bruner, as well as many other beloved family and friends.

She is survived by her daughter Wendy Bruner and husband Bob of Houston, Texas, and by her son, Brooks Wright and wife Edythe of Barnard, Vermont. She is also survived by grandchildren Bert Wright, Brittany Marie Bruner, and Renee Elizabeth Bruner, Bev's sister-in-law Martha Brooks, as well as numerous nieces and nephews and their growing families.

Bev wants to thank Dr. Fred White, Dr. Talmadge Trammel, Dr. Sam Brinkman, and Dr. Brad Kendrick for their roles in giving her additional years to her life.

Her family would like to thank the caring staff of Hendricks Hospice, Mesa Springs Healthcare, Northern Oaks Living and Rehabilitation, Home Instead, Big Country Healthcare Services, and a few rehab hospitals for Bev's care in recent years.

Honorary Pallbearers are Kelly Wright, Bob Bruner, Yannis Tassoulas, Alec Chick, Richard Moore, S.M. Moore, Bob Hoppe, Nelson Quinn, Norm Ward, John Powell, Mark Beasley, Matt Muzechenko, and John Blackwell.

In Lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial to First Central Presbyterian Medical Mission or Food Pantry, or Grace Cultural Center, or the charity of your choice.