Elizabeth Murel Wright, of Decatur, Illinois, passed away on Sunday, April 21, 2024, at 95. She was born the daughter of Nathan and Oma Roberts on July 22, 1928, in Franklin County, Illinois. Elizabeth was the third of eight children: Marie (Roberts) Camp 1925-2016, Ralph Roberts 1927-2017, Elizabeth (Roberts) Wright 1928-2024, Loretta (Roberts) Sullivan 1929-2023, Nathan Roberts Jr. 1932-2009, Willie Roberts 1934, Shirley (Roberts) Neece 1936, and Marvin Roberts 1938-2017. Elizabeth (who was called by her middle name, Murel) and her seven siblings were born into one of the most challenging periods of United States history. They endured significant poverty during the Great Depression and lived through the uncertainty and upheaval of World War II. Yet, due to the strength of their mother, Oma Roberts, the love of their grandparents (the Tedricks), hard work, and their faith in Christ, these eight children overcame many trials to become men and women of strong character. Murel often recounted stories of the kindness and generosity of friends, neighbors, family, and even strangers during the Great Depression.
The Roberts were members of Oconee Baptist Church in Oconee, Illinois, where they served in many capacities. At twelve years old, Murel (along with her brother Ralph) was baptized in a river near the church on November 3, 1940. She later graduated from Ramsey High School in Ramsey, Illinois, with a great love for reading, which she maintained throughout her life. After moving to Decatur, Illinois, with her sister, Loretta, Murel attended Brown’s Business College, which taught basic bookkeeping, stenography, and typing courses. She also worked at Norman’s Cleaners, where she sometimes met famous characters such as big band leader Tiny Hill. However, her next job, as a waitress at The Farm (a restaurant long gone), providentially led her to meet a young widower named Kenneth Wright. Kenneth worked as an animal feed scientist for the A.E. Staley corporation in Decatur. Kenneth and Murel were married in the First Baptist Church of Decatur on July 23, 1950. They were married for over 58 years and had four sons: Michael, Dennis, Daniel, and Frederick. Kenneth preceded Murel in death on October 5, 2008.
Murel chiefly spent Her energies making her house a home, and she was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She believed and often expounded on the vital importance of maintaining family bonds. She was a very active member of First Baptist Church in Decatur and attended the IDA Sunday School Class for decades. She hated missing church services. Murel also participated in the local chapter of Church Women United and demonstrated unusual kindness towards those who were sick or in need. She often visited nursing homes, delivered meals, and comforted the lonely.
Murel loved history, and she loved to read; she loved cleaning the house to within an inch of its life; she loved watching the bobwhite quail at the family farm in Allendale, Illinois; she loved family vacations and boating on the Mississippi River or Kentucky Lake; she loved to fish (when the fish were biting); she loved her garden (though the voracious rabbits and deer made her furious); and she loved live performances at Millikin University’s Kirkland Fine-Arts Center. She loved God, and she read her bible, and she prayed. She knew that forgiveness was only found in Christ and often said, “Your good works won’t get you into heaven!” (then she would quote Ephesians 2:8-9).
Elizabeth Murel Wright is survived by her brother, Willie Roberts, and her sister, Shirley (Roberts) Neece. She is also survived by her four sons, their wives, seven grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren: Michael, his wife Judy, and their children Ashley (Jim) and Taylor; Dennis, his wife Jane, and their son Patrick (Jennifer); Daniel, his wife Rebecca, and their children Aaron Noffsinger (Jen) and Ashley Noffsinger; Fred, his wife Diane, and their daughters Elizabeth and Emmanuelle. Murel’s great-grandchildren are Henry (Patrick and Jennifer), Evelyn (Ashley and Jim), and Caleb and Emily (Aaron and Jen).
A visitation to honor Elizabeth Murel Wright will be held on Tuesday, April 30, from 9:00 AM to 10:30 AM in First Baptist Church, 1320 Arbor Drive, Decatur, Illinois. The memorial service, a time to remember and celebrate her life, will immediately follow at 11:00 AM. A graveside service, a final farewell, will be held on Wednesday, May 1, in the Allendale Cemetery in Allendale, Illinois, at a time to be announced. Her death has left a void that will only be filled when we join her before the Lord, but her life has left us a legacy that will endure.
The family of Elizabeth Murel Wright is being served by Moran & Goebel Funeral Home, 2801 N. Monroe Street, Decatur, IL. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to First Baptist Church of Decatur, Illinois, and the Anna Mae Owen Hospice House, Murray, Kentucky (270-767-3670).
Condolences may be left to Elizabeth’s family at www.moranangoebel.com.