Ira Mae Willeford Wright was born Nov. 17, 1945 in Pauls Valley, Okla. to Ernest Ira and Betty Mae (McGregor) Willeford. She died Friday, May 6, 2022 at her rural home near Wellston at the age of 76.
She wed Bill McKee in 1960. She later married Calvin O’Neal in 1964. During her marriage to Calvin, he was ordained as an elder in the Missionary Baptist Church and his service as a pastor – and hers as a pastor’s wife – took the family to a number of churches in Oklahoma and Arkansas before his final pastorate in Wellston.
As a licensed professional counselor, she spent much of her career working for Red Rock Behavioral Health Services in Oklahoma City.
After Calvin’s death in 1995, she married Weldon Wright on June 12, 1999.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Calvin O’Neal; and three siblings, Henry Willeford, Ameatha D’Andrea and Hugh Bostic. Survivors include her
Survivors include her husband, Weldon Wright, of Wellston; daughters Terri Mitchell and husband Keith of Lawton, and Lisa McClain of Wellston; seven grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.
A celebration of the life of Ira Mae Willeford Wright was held May 11, 2022 at Lehman Funeral Home in Wellston, Okla. A graveside service followed at Whitebead Cemetery outside P auls Valley.