The founder of Wright’s Cafeteria has died.
Ella Mae Wright, 101, born July 28, 1917, departed this life Sept. 27. She started Wright’s in one end of husband J.B. Wright’s grocery store on Middlebrook Pike where the restaurant now stands. At her 100th birthday party, Tim Burchett told a funny story about how J.B. was baffled by how her business was growing while his was flat. The couple decided to close his IGA and go full bore into the restaurant. And that’s when J.B. discovered Ella Mae’s secret. “She had been stealing groceries from the store (for the restaurant),” said Burchett.
As this writer reported: “Ella Mae laughed the loudest.”
Mrs. Wright enjoyed that party, which drew several community, business and political leaders. She was an active member of First Baptist Church of Andersonville, after belonging to Central Baptist Church in Bearden for over 50 years.
She is survived by her three children, David Wright (Donna), Janice Kelly (Jerry), and Calvin Wright. She enjoyed seven grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren. David and Donna own and operate the cafeteria.
Visitation will be held Saturday, Sept. 29, from 6-7:30 p.m. followed by a Celebration of Life at 7:30 at Weaver Funeral Home on Oak Ridge Highway. Interment will be at Highland Memorial Cemetery at 2 p.m. Sunday.