Funeral services for Mrs. Vera Willena Pendarvis Wright, 91, of 113 Lochaven Drive, Apt. 102, Charleston and formerly of Orangeburg, SC, will be held 1:00 p.m., Thursday, August 18, 2022, at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, 2202 Riverbank Road, Orangeburg, with interment to follow in Belleville Memorial Gardens.

Mrs. Vera Willena Pendarvis Wright, 91, was born October 31, 1930 in Bowman, South Carolina. She was the daughter of the late Edith E. Pendarvis and the late Leroy Pendarvis. Vera departed this life on Thursday, August 11, 2022 at her residence in Charleston, South Carolina.

Vera was educated in South Carolina where she earned her Bachelor of Science Degree in Education on January 22, 1951 from Colored Normal Industrial, Agriculture and Mechanical College (South Carolina State College). She began working as secretary in the Office of the Vice-President of Academic Affairs until her retirement.

Vera married her college sweetheart, Shellie E Wright, Jr and from this union they brought into this world seven children; Shellena, Eugenia (Bernadette), Shellie, III, Mary Teresa, John Christopher, Anthony and Thomas.

She was a faithful member of Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Orangeburg, South Carolina, where she served in many capacities: lector, eucharistic minister, minister of the sick and shut in, RCIA teacher/coordinator and a member of the Ladies Auxiliary.

She was preceded in death by her loving and caring husband, Shellie E. Wright, Jr.; one daughter, Shellena W. Jenkins; four sons, Shellie, III, John Christopher, Anthony and Thomas.

She leaves to cherish her memory two daughter Eugenia Bernadette (Steve) Claiborne and Mary T. Sandle; 28 grandchildren, Shelton Gooden, Terrell Gooden, Anrae' Gooden, Steven Claiborne, II, William Claiborne, Latoya Wright, Eugene Wright, Benjamin, Shawnte Sandle, Keisha Sandle, Arrielle Wright and John Christopher, II; two daughters-in-law: Fe Wright and Leonis Wright; and one sister-in-law, Alice Faye Alexis and a host of cousins and other loving relatives and friends.

Visitation will be held Wednesday, August 17, 2022 from 1:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. The ladies of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. will conduct their Omega Omega Ceremony on Wednesday, August 17, 2022 at 7:00 p.m.

Family and friends may call Simmons Funeral Home and Crematory of Orangeburg, SC.

Please adhere to all COVID-19 precautions and masks are required for visitation and funeral services.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.simmonsfuneralhome.com