Carolyn Dupre (Howard) Wright, 89, much-loved Signal Mountain resident and artist, died peacefully in her sleep on Thursday evening, June 23, 2016.
Carolyn and her late husband, Jim Wright were well known artists in the Chattanooga, TN area. She was especially known for her oil portraits and lively watercolors. Carolyn held a BFA from the University of Alabama, studied at the Harris School in Nashville. She was always looking for new techniques ways to improve her paintings. She attended workshops and classes throughout her career including at The Hunter Museum of Art with Budd Bishop, and with Elizabeth Shoemaker and even in Scotland under a royal portrait artist for British Royalty.
“I get a thrill out of using color," Carolyn said, "I want people to experience happiness when they see my work."
She has taught watercolor, oil, and pastel techniques to many students at Chattanooga State, the Hunter Museum, Mountain Arts Cultural Center (MACC) on Signal Mountain, Chattanooga Christian School, to list a few and led workshops in Aiken, S.C. and Cohutta Lodge in Georgia.
Her watercolors won recognition and awards throughout the South in juried shows and with several art associations. She was a founding member of "Next Door Gallery", she was a leading artist at the In-Town Gallery in Chattanooga and showed her work at the Plum Nelly Art show for eight years.
Her work is in many local public collections including Memorial Hospital, Baylor School, UTC, and Signal Mountain Presbyterian Church where Carolyn and her family were members since 1958. Her portraits of the Senior Pastors are seen throughout the church. Her portraits of children, families, as well as prominent citizens can be found in many offices and homes throughout the Chattanooga area.
Carolyn was a born again Christian with a strong faith in the LORD. Her faith was a very visible part of her daily life. She had a love for Israel and in the 1980‘s she painted the portraits of every Israeli Prime Minister since 1948. Carolyn would often call herself a "Jesus chaser".
Carolyn always had a ready smile on her face and with her sweet Southern drawl, she was the consumate 'Southern Lady'. She enjoyed meeting new people and hearing their stories, entertaining, cooking, playing bridge, and teaching Sunday School. She was a member of the Signal Mountain Garden Club.
Carolyn was preceded in death by her parents, Ben Howard and Ann Waters; husband, Jim; son, Howard Allen Wright; and sister, Anne Irving Wilson.
She is survived by her daughter, Susan Dupre Wright, her son, James Malachi (Jim) Wright, Jr., his wife (Joan) and their son, Benjamin Howard Wright; her sister, Jane Albritton, her family; and faithful friend, Jim Smith and his family.
A bright star has moved on...Carolyn's joy was contagious; her love will live on through her paintings and all those who were blessed to know and love her.
Funeral arrangements are by Chattanooga Funeral Home East Chapel.
There will be a memorial service at a later date.
Memorial contributions may be made to a charity of your choice or to Caris Hospice.