Joanne Malone (Irick) Wright
Mrs. Joanne Malone (Irick) Wright, 88, of Dallas, Georgia, passed away on March 22, 2025.
Joanne was born in Andersonville, Tennessee, to Tillus Irick and Wanda Pauline Humphrey Irick.
After graduating from Norris High School in 1955, she earned a business certificate from Knoxville Business School, and later worked for the Knoxville News Sentinel.
She married Max Louis Wright in 1957, and they made their home in Anderson County, where they raised their three daughters. Joanne was a devoted wife, mother, daughter and homemaker who loved her Lord and Savior. She spent time daily reading her Bible and learning scripture, which she shared with her daughters and her Sunday school students at Zion Hill Baptist Church in Heiskell.
Joanne and her husband later retired to Paulding County, Georgia, where she was a member of Concord Baptist Church in Temple, Georgia. Throughout her years in Tennessee and Georgia, she enjoyed working in her vegetable and flower gardens. She loved growing roses and preserving the fruits and vegetables she and her husband harvested.
She was an accomplished seamstress and enjoyed sewing for her daughters. She was also a gifted artist at sketching and drawing. She enjoyed working with charcoal. After completing an art course, she produced some beautiful works.
Joanne also loved music, and played the piano and organ, continuing to enjoy both even in her later years.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 59 years, Max Wright, who passed away on Dec. 9, 2016; and her sister, Brenda Goforth.
Survivors include her daughters, Gwen (David) Forbes of Clinton, Tennessee, Sonya (James) Ransom of Dallas, Georgia, and Vicki (John) Rutherford of Kingsland, Georgia; grandchildren, Abigail (Kyle) Ruth, Amelia (Will) Grifenhagen, Brooke (Colby) Taylor, Samuel Forbes, Joshua Forbes and Harrison Rutherford; four great-grandchildren, Annalise Ruth, Maxwell Ruth, Riley Taylor and Madison Taylor; and many nieces and nephews.
Joanne Malone Wright will be remembered for her kindness, her love, her faith in God, and her commitment to her family. As we say goodbye, we find comfort in knowing her legacy will continue to inspire those who had the privilege of knowing her.
The family extends special thanks to Kimberly Personal Care Home and Agape Hospice for their compassionate care.
Clark Funeral Home is honored to be entrusted with the services for Mrs. Joanne Malone (Irick) Wright.
