Obituary of Katheryn Ama-Wright

The sun rose on the life of Mrs. Katheryn D. Ama-Wright on July 26, 1928 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama to proud parents, Elbert V. Grove and Mary(Young) Grove. She was the youngest of ten children in the family. She was raised in North Port, Alabama. Katheryn's parents were strong in their faith and introduced Katheryn (and all their children) to God at an early age. Katheryn became a member of New Zion Baptist Church in Tuscaloosa under Reverend Johnson and where her father was a Deacon and her mother a Deaconess. Katheryn was united in holy matrimony withMr. John Wright on November 1, 1990. Thecouple shared twenty-three happy yearstogether. "She was always a fashion statementwith her face made up so pretty and her nailsmanicured with her favorite polish and (mostof all) her lipstick.""Kat" (as she was affectionately known) was blessed with eightbeautiful children, Shirley, Sheila, Shehalara, James Jr., Larry,Jacksie, Cheryial and Pamela. Additionally she was overjoyed to beblessed with twenty-nine grandchildren, thirty nine greatgrandchildren and one great great grandchild! They loved herdearly."Oh yeah, she could cook and she would break bread with anybody.Like her parents, Big Poppa and Big Momma, her home was ahome to everybody and they were met with welcome arms. Besidesher children,many of herbeloved niecesand nephewseven lived withher. They allcalled her AuntKat." Katheryn was a Senior Officer of Stone and Webster Engineering.She was a Certified Licensed Underwriter forAmerican General Life Insurance. In 1990, sheofficially retired in Los Angeles, California. Shewas a member of the NAACP and the SouthernChristian Leadership Conference. She was also amember of the Los Angeles Black Museum underthe leadership of Lonnie Bunch and Dr. Brooks.She supported their work by participating and alsoby donating rare volumes by Alexander Dumas andmaking financial contributions. Additionally, shewas a jack of all trades. She could sew, press hair,make furniture, design and even pierce ears. What Katheryn loved most was her church home.In 1949, she joined Zion Baptist Church in Denver,Colorado under the leadership of Dr. Wemdell T.Liggins. She loved the church so much that shekept almost every church bulletin as far back as1962 (or earlier). She loved Rev. Liggins and his wife, Louise, lookingup to him as an older brother. They visited her in Los Angeles whereshe would cook soul food meals and take Mrs. Liggins shopping. Afterhe retired, she became acquainted and then learned to love Dr. FrankM. Davis and his beautiful wife, Kathy. She would tell her children,"He sure is a good looking black man." And she often reminded themthat when she went to Glory, she wanted Rev. Davis to do her eulogyand "Sister Sweet" to sing over her. On September 3, 2013, the Grove family had their reunion. "Kat"insisted that she should go. She took many items with her and gavethem to her loved ones. She wanted to see her grandchildren, nieces,nephews, cousins and friends. With the help of her oldest son, Jamesand his wife, Annette, they made it possible. God allowed her thatjourney, preparing her to meet Heaven's doorstep.