Eloise Kay Wright was born in the Spring of 1939 in the home where she grew up northeast of Butler, Missouri. Her parents were Kenneth and Emily Powell. Kay attended the one-room Wemont school for her elementary school experience. She enjoyed a childhood in a loving home with plenty of adventures on the farm and took on responsibilities of the farm at a young age. She then attended high school at Butler High School where she graduated Valedictorian in 1956. Kay was married to her high school sweetheart Kenneth Eugene “Tim” Wright on September 13, 1958 and would remain in a strong and loving marriage to Mr. Wright for the duration of her earthly life. It was also in 1958 that Mrs. Wright began her career as an educator, teaching first and second grade and teaching private music lessons to Butler area children.
In 1959, Mrs. Wright gave birth to her first daughter, Sherry Lynn and in 1961 gave birth to Sheryl Lane. Kay and her husband raised up their daughters in a home full of love, learning, and laughter. After taking six years off to raise her daughters, Kay Wright received her Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education and once again took on the challenge of being an elementary school teacher in 1965, teaching second grade and then music for four years and eventually teaching third grade. In 1977, Mrs. Wright earned her Master of Science degree in Elementary Education from Central Missouri State University (CMSU)-currently University of Central Missouri. 10 years later, Mrs. Wright received her Specialist degree in administration from CMSU and assumed the role of Curriculum Director for Butler R-V Schools and then Elementary Principal, where she served in that capacity from 1987-1992. From 1992-1994, Mrs. Wright served as an elementary school principal in the Raytown School District. Mrs. Wright’s final contribution to education was in the capacity of Adjunct Professor supervising student teachers in 1994 for CMSU.
Kay Wright was known for her involvement in and dedication to education where she impacted the lives of many young people, both as a teacher and as an administrator and curriculum director. Mrs. Wright was also a wonderful mother, a loving wife, and devoted grandmother to her four grandchildren. She will be remembered as a woman who loved her family, loved life, loved learning, and loved to laugh… and she could out-run, out-throw, out-catch, and out-ride all the boys who attended her elementary school. Kay made a decision to receive Jesus Christ as her Savior and Lord at the age of 12 and her Christian faith guided her throughout her family life and life of service to the public. Mrs. Wright loved the outdoors and enjoyed gardening and adventures in the outdoors with her husband, children, and grandchildren. She also possessed a great love of reading with her interests ranging from novels to history.
Eloise Kay Wright was preceded in death by her parents, Emily and Kenneth Powell. She is survived by her husband, Kenneth Eugene “Tim” Wright, her daughters Sherry Lynn Klausing and husband Robert of Butler and Sheryl Lane Fender and husband Roger of Lee’s Summit, her brother Kent Powell of Butler and wife Betty Lou and her grandchildren- Adam Klausing and wife Courtney of Rogers, Arkansas, Jenna Klausing of Annapolis, Maryland, Lauren Fender Barnard and Josh Barnard and of Fayetteville, Arkansas and Mason Fender Siddiqui and Derek Siddiqui of Fort Worth, Texas. Mrs. Wright also is survived by her two great granddaughters- Nora Jane Klausing and Blaire Selah Barnard and several cousins, nephews and nieces.
