2022 Black Heritage Calendar - Presented by the Black Educators' Caucus Inc., of Hernando County

Eloise Wright
9/15/1924-
Eloise Larry-Wright was born in Bradenton, Florida. Her parents, Saul and Viola Larry
relocated to Brooksville when she was young. Eloise is a member of one of
Brooksville’s largest and oldest Black families, the Timmons Family. In many ways
she represents the character of the community and a model for women. As a nontraditional
college student, it would take her several years to complete her college
education. Being a life-long member of Bethlehem Progressive Baptist Church, an
affiliate of the National Baptist Convention, she enrolled at Bethune Cookman
College (now University) in Daytona Beach, Florida. She would continue her
education at Florida Memorial College (now University) in Saint Augustine, Florida.
Eloise never lost sight of her goal of earning a college education and becoming
a certified teacher. She balanced marriage, motherhood, and personal interests,
and later career. As the racial barriers relaxed, she completed her bachelors at
Saint Leo College (now university) which was a day commute from home to
school. On the other hand, Eloise is a woman of a few words, not a big talker.
She speaks when it is necessary, but she is someone who “says what she means
and means what she says”. Anyone who has ever known Eloise will testify that
she is known for her kind and encouraging words. She is a listener and observer.
Her presence is registered throughout the community. Mrs. Wright taught Head Start
for Hernando County School Board for 14 years and the Kindergarten for Mid-Florida
Community Services the remainder of her career. She retired in 1988. Even though she is
retired, she continues to inspire young people with encouraging words of wisdom. Eloise has been a long-standing
member of Bethlehem Progressive Baptist Church, where she serves as a deaconess, member of the pastor’s aid
committee, former choir #1 member and the kitchen committee. She was an active member of the Black Educators
Caucus, Inc., of Hernando County and the Hernando County Branch NAACP. She has participated in community events
and rallies and believes in exercising her voting rights. Mrs. Wright enjoys her time communicating with her many
grands, working crossword puzzles, and watching her Tampa Bay Rays. Her children had a plaque placed on the Mid-
Florida Community Services office wall in her honor. Eloise is a charter member of #Kelly Temple 1004, where she
served as an escort.
She was the only child of Saul and Viola Larry. She met and married Earl Wright, and together, their union remained for
58 years and yielded 10 children. She has a rich life. She raised her children, took classes in between, and she
welcomes grandchildren and participates in most of the family milestone events, such as weddings, graduations,
birthdays, celebrations of life, etc. She is blessed in more ways than one but especially with a long, healthy life, within
a few years of her centennial.
Sponsors: The Wright Children-Earl, Robert, Jacquelyn, Mary (deceased), Saul, Jane, Larry, Ronnie, Gary, and Jorge
“I believe there is only one race - the human race.” ― Rosa Parks