Martha Garretson Wright of Newport News, VA, passed away peacefully on October 20, 2026, at the age of 84.

As Martha would tell you, she was born an Aggie in Bryan, Texas, on February 5, 1942, to the late Clarice and Dr. Harold Garretson. Growing up in Lynchburg, Virgina, she was an avid Girl Scout and graduated from E.C. Glass High School.

A graduate of Lynchburg College (now University of Lynchburg), Martha went on to a career as an elementary physical education teacher for the Hampton City Schools, where she taught for 27 years. At an end of the year faculty party, she met Robert Hamlet Wright, the love of her life. After a whirlwind romance, they were married less than a year later.

A dedicated and faithful member of the First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) of Hampton, VA. A member of the Christian Women’s Fellowship, Martha also served in many roles at the church through the years, from deacon to Sunday school teacher and youth choir director.

Music was always part of her life. Martha was a member of a church choir from seventh grade until she was 70. She was a founding member of the church’s handbell choir and played with them for years. At The Chesapeake, she learned the chimes, playing and practicing with the chimes group until the end.

Travel and camping across the United States was a constant in Martha’s life. Growing up she traveled with her parents and sisters across the country to visit family. On the summer break two months after her wedding, she resumed the tradition and took her newlywed husband from their home in Hampton all the way to Washington state in her Volkswagen Beetle. When the car was exchanged for an RV later in life, the traveling continued as a member of the Tidewater Tascas camping club. She visited 49 states and crossed the country with her family seven times, including a trip to Alaska and back.

She leaves behind her loving husband, Robert Hamlet Wright Jr., her daughter Carol Elizabeth Wright, her son Robert Garretson Wright, and her sisters Susan Daniel and Nancy Fisher.

A memorial service will be held on November 14, 2026, at 2:00 pm in the Chesapeake Room at The Chesapeake, 955 Harpersville Rd, Newport News, VA, with a reception afterward. All who knew and loved Martha are warmly invited to join us in remembering her life.

Martha Wright’s kind and determined spirit lives on in all of those who knew and loved her.