Sherry Wright

Asheville, NC – Sherry Wright, 87, of the Deerfield Retirement Community in Asheville, died unexpectedly Monday, March 20, 2023 at Mission Hospital.

She was a daughter of the late James and Dorothy Wentz Porter. She was also preceded in death by a brother, Philip Porter.

Sherry was born in Savannah, Georgia but spent most of her life until her marriage in Greenville, South Carolina where she lived with her loving mother, Dorothy Wentz Porter, and two younger brothers Jim and Philip. She was active in the Greenville Little Theater and attended Furman University. She met Duke shortly before he graduated from Clemson University in January 1955 and commissioned a second lieutenant in the Air Force. His first active-duty assignment was in Japan. She turned down his proposal to get married and go to Japan for two years. While he was away, she lived in Greenville and a while in Los Angeles where she worked for Young and Rubicam, a commercial advertising agency.

While Duke was in Japan, they kept in touch but didn’t see each other for two years. Upon his return in April 1957, they decided even after the two-year separation they were truly in love and wanted to get married. The wedding was in July 1957. Duke had decided to become a career Air Force officer, which was a new venture for her. She quickly adapted to the nomadic and often lonely life of a military wife. She grew to become a true partner and for some thirty-one years was the family anchor and an understated influence on Duke’s career.

Along the way, Sherry made many, many lifelong friends and touched everyone she met with a special gentleness and kindness. She loved everyone and everyone loved her. Sherry was devoted to her faith and lived every day accordingly.

She was the consummate homemaker raising four children all while moving some eighteen times around the world. Her children, their spouses, and six grandchildren were the joys of her life.

While living in the Washington, DC area Sherry was especially proud of her volunteer work, particularly as a docent for several years leading tours through the Smithsonian’s Museum of American History. She truly loved her interaction with people from all over the globe and teaching them about our great country’s history.

Sherry has always been a prolific reader and painter. While living at Sullivan’s Island she became an accomplished artist under the tutelage of Emmy Bronson. One of her favorite experiences in the world of painting was a trip in 2006 with several artist friends to the Normandy region of France following the steps of the great Impressionists.

She loved the casual beachfront lifestyle and dolphin watching on Sullivan’s Island, South Carolina for 31 years and also escaping the heat of summer to spend time in Highlands, North Carolina. Sherry was last residing with Duke, her husband of 66 years, at Deerfield Retirement Community in Asheville, NC.

In addition to her husband, Maj. Gen. (Ret. USAF) Clifton “Duke” Wright, Jr., she is survived by two daughters, Lisa Fender (David) of Greenville, SC and Lauren Wright of Annandale, VA; two sons, Clifton Dukes “Chip” Wright III (Dianne) of Charlotte, NC and Christopher “Chris” Wright (Christine) of Alexandria, VA; one brother, James D. Porter, Jr. of Brighton, England; seven grandchildren, Chris, Emma, Carly, George, Jacob, Silas and Kimberly as well as several nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Sherry’s Life will be held at 2:00 PM on Saturday, April 29, 2023 at St. Giles Chapel of Deerfield. A Mass will be held at 10:45 AM on Thursday, August 10, 2023 in the Old Chapel at Arlington National Cemetery with burial to follow in the cemetery.

The family graciously asks that in lieu of flowers, please consider making a contribution in Sherry’s memory to one or more of the following charities: the Salvation Army; Stella Maris Roman Catholic Church in Sullivan’s Island, SC; St. Barnabas Roman Catholic Church in Arden, NC; or the Deerfield Residents Assistance Fund.

Groce Funeral Home at Lake Julian is assisting the family.