History & Staff
We have years of experience caring for families, from all walks of life. Each family comes to us because they know we are leaders in our profession, dedicated to excellence in service, and have the highest integrity.
Our History
After 30 years of service to the community with other funeral homes, Joel A. “Tony” Wright and his family decided to serve the community from their own funeral home. After several years of searching, the dream to serve became a reality with the purchase of the Old South Martinsville School at 220 Business South.
The abandoned school building has been renovated into a spacious, modern funeral facility including an on-site crematory.
Entering our 7th year, we will serve over 300 families. Our experience allows us to provide quality funeral services, tailored specifically to your needs. We are also proud to announce the opening of our own perpetual-care cemetery, Fair Haven Memorial Park, located at 18960 A.L. Philpott Highway on 58 East, one half mile past the Old Country Store.
We are involved in many local organizations, including church membership, the Ruritan Club, the Kiwanis Club, the Martinsville UpTown Rotary Club, the American Red Cross, the Martinsville / Henry County Chamber of Commerce, as well as memberships in the National Funeral Directors Association, and state-wide in the Southside Funeral Directors Association and Virginia Funeral Directors Association.
Our desire is to provide quality service that is affordable to members of our community who have lost a loved one.
Our Valued Staff
Tony Wright, Manager
Tony began serving and apprenticing with a local funeral home in Bassett after graduating from Lee University. He went on to attend Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science and received his bachelor's degree before serving professionally. He enjoys working on his ’67 Camaro and spending time with family.
Betty Hensley Wright, Operation Manager
Tom Hensley, Operation Manager
Ruth Ratcliff, Funeral Director
Ruth attends Martinsville Church of Truth in Martinsville, Virginia. She enjoys spending time with her dogs and working in her flower gardens.
Shannon Alley, Office Manager
Shannon attends Stanleytown's Amazing Grace Baptist Church in Stanleytown, Virginia. She enjoys traveling, reading, and spending time with her three grandchildren.
Nancy Beeson, Funeral Attendant / Webmaster
Nancy serves as Secretary-Treasurer and council member at Collinsville Pentecostal Holiness Church in Collinsville, Virginia. She loves reading mystery novels, walking, yoga, and spending time with her family.
Glen Stump, Maintenance / Funeral Attendant
Mary Stump, Funeral Attendant
S.T. Fulcher Jr., Funeral Director
S.T. Fulcher, Jr. has been a life long member of Stanleytown United Methodist Church, where he is the Chairman of the Administrative Council and Trustee. He is also a member of the Stanleytown Ruritan Club, President of the Fieldale Volunteer Fire Department, member of the Patrick Henry Lodge #82, Knights of Pythians, awarded the Golden Spur, member of the Sons of the American Revolution, member of the Sons of the Confederacy, life member of American Legion Pannill Port # 42, Life member of AMVETS, member of Marine Corps League; chairman of the Veterans Service Organization Committee and Mayo River Hunting Club.
S.T. enjoys spending time with his wife, children, and grandchildren.
Beth Hodge, Funeral Director
Beth loves to spend time with her husband and two children, watch football, sing, travel, and read. Beth is a member of Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church in Martinsville, VA and the Kappa Delta Omega chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. She is a 2006 graduate of The College of William and Mary, a 2013 graduate of Liberty University, and a 2021 graduate of Fayetteville Technical Community College Funeral Service education program.
Leon Hairston, Funeral Attendant
Sheri Hale, Maintenance
Leroy Hairston, Funeral Attendant
Joe Gravely, Aftercare/Grief Counselor
Bill Bingham, Funeral Attendant
Avery Neil Pressley, Funeral Service Intern
Neil was born in western North Carolina, but now resides in Bassett, Virginia with his wife, Mary Sue and fur baby, Mia. He is a graduate of Biblical Ministries Institute and is the Senior Pastor of New Covenant Fellowship IPHC in Bassett. Neil serves as the lead for the Decedent Care Specialist team at Wright. Neil is dedicated and compassionate about serving others.
Johnny Johnson, Funeral Attendant
Patricia Hughes Belton, Office Admin
Patricia is married to Ricky Belton. She has 3 children and 4 grandchildren. She has been in the funeral business for 16 years, and is secretary for the local Veteran's Service Organization (VSO) for our community. Loves gardening, reading, and her grandchildren.
Carolyn Preston, Funeral Service Intern
Carolyn enjoys ministering to others through her gift of song. She is the mother of 3 boys and a loving grandmother.
Michael Gravely, Funeral Attendant
Michael enjoys sharing his kind and compassionate personality with the people that he serves. Michael is a deacon at Shiloh Way of the Cross Church of Christ.
Mark Norman, Funeral Service Intern
Mark currently serves as a funeral service intern here at Wright Funeral Service. Mark enjoys ministering to others and volunteering with Ridgeway Rescue Squad. Mark enjoys spending time with family and friends.