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by Sheilah Vickers
Also included on the program were: Mary Mary (singing, "Yesterday,") Rev. Al Sharpton (remarks,) Dorothy Norwood (singing, "I Need Thee",) Bishop Richard "Mr Clean" White and Twinkie Clark (singing duet, "Accept What God Allows",) Dr. Aretha Wilson (remarks,) and Professor Iris Stevenson, president of COGIC International Music Dept (remarks.) As the Concert Choir (120 plus strong) were at their best, they ministered in song by singing, "If I Suffer," written by Pastor Timothy Wright. The microphone was passed around on the song, "Jesus Will," to singers such as Evang. Doreen Figueroa, Timeney Figueroa-Caton, Evang. Dorinda Clark-Cole, Supt. Rubienstein McClure, Evang. Lorraine Stancil and Lady Monique Walker. Evangelist Valerie Boyd rendered the sermonic solo (singing, "Say the Name" and "Jesus, Jesus, Jesus" written by Betty J. Wright.) Supt. Willie James Campbell of the St. James COGIC (Chicago) preached the eulogy.
Other notables present were Bishop James Gaylord (Pastor Wright's Jurisdictional Bishop,) Bishop Frank White, Supt. J. Drew Sheard (COGIC AIM Chairman,) Bishop Bobby Henderson, Bishop Huie L. Rogers (Bibleway Churches Worldwide,) Bishop Albert Jamison (GMWA Chairman), Bishop Eric Figueroa, Bishop John H. Boyd, Supt. Frank Anthone White, Professor James Hall, Will Bogle (Manager of Ricky Dillard,) Bishop Carl Williams Jr. (Pastor of Institutional COGIC, Int'l,) Bishop J.C. White (Presiding Bishop of COGIC Int'l,) ArchBishop Roy E. Brown (Presiding Bishop of Pilgrim Churches Worldwide,) and Pastor Donnie McClurkin. During the viewing it was requested that the mourners exit the building to respect the Wright Family in their final moments. Because the viewing lasted more than 45 minutes for the large crowd to view and exit the sanctuary, the Concert Choir took us down memory lane singing songs written by Pastor Timothy Wright, including, "These Are They," "I'm A Believer," "Yes I Want to Testify," "Everything to God in Prayer," "I've Been Born Again," and many more.
Over one thousand people packed Washington Temple COGIC in Brooklyn NY to say a final earthly farewell to Betty and Daniel "DJ" Wright on Monday, July 28, 2008 at 10 am. Hundreds crowded the corner of Bedford and Bergen Avenues even after the church was filled to capacity. After every pew was filled on the main level and the designated portion of the balcony, people then stood around the walls of the sanctuary for the entirety of the service. Many who stood outside were turned away. A very somber mood filled the air as the two caskets were wheeled into place. The sad reality of the occasion had surfaced. Though the service convened for several hours, it was a worthy tribute to two deserving saints of God. The five Wright Sons (Danny, Donny, David, Derrick and Dwayne) as well as brother and sister of Betty Wright participated and gave remarks as a Family Tribute. The sons informed everyone that their father is yet hospitalized, however they asked the massive crowd to stand and give praise to God for Pastor Wright's healing. Needless to say, the crowd exploded in high praise. Danny Wright, coping with the loss of his mother and son, pledged to do everything to ensure that he will see them both again in heaven. He also encouraged the mourners by reminding everyone that his mother lived a "rapture ready life." David spoke words seasoned with grace admonishing all to rejoice because it was a Homegoing and not a funeral. He also stated that "...it could have been worse. We could have had three caskets up here instead of two." Dwayne did not speak but rather sang his sentiments in the song, "If I Couldn't Say A Word..."
One of the most powerful moments as I dealt with this entire ordeal was reading one comment in response to an article online written in the Daily News Brooklyn published on July 6, 2008 regarding the accident. A subscriber wrote (7/7/08 (9:42:43 pm for your reference) "Man this is just sad. Prayers for him and the family. How tragic. I am an agnostic, but for this man I believe."
View Funeral Program on next page.
Funeral program shown below:
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