Patricia (Pat) Bridges Wright, aged 66 of Deer Park, TX went to her heavenly home on January 16, 2019 surrounded by her loving family. She was born on October 7, 1952 in La Grange, TX to Thomas Harry and Alleen Miller Bridges. Pat was a member of First Baptist Church of Pasadena for 46 years. She was baptized at FBC of Pasadena on August 1, 1971. Pat was a beloved teacher for over 35 years. She was an avid reader, which helped her to inspire her students to love reading as much as she did. Cooking family recipes, as well as new recipes she found in numerous cookbooks and from watching Food Network was a favorite pastime. Her greatest joys were being a mother to her children and a Honey to her grandsons.

Pat was preceded in death by her parents and sister-in-law Connie Bridges. She is survived by her loving husband of 43 years, Mark Wright; son Seth Wright and wife Kari of Waynesboro, VA; daughter Sara Moore and husband Michael of Baytown, TX; sister Becky Bridges Gary and husband Eddie of Deer Park, TX; sister Jackie Bridges Hutton and husband Howard of Deer Park, TX; brother Tim Bridges of Calhoun, TN; sister-in-law Phyllis Bishop and husband Bob of Killeen, TX; grandsons Ayden, Logan, Harrison, Cooper and Cohen; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Pat was a 1971 graduate of Pasadena High School. She received an Associate of Arts degree from San Jacinto College in 1973 and a Bachelor of Sciences degree in Education from the University of Houston in 1975. Pat was a teacher in both the Pasadena and Bastrop school districts, retiring in May of 2017. She was a teacher at Harvey Turner Elementary for the last 25 years of her teaching career. She taught kindergarten, first, third, fourth, and fifth grade at Turner. Pat received the honor of being Teacher of the Year for Turner Elementary in 1997–1998 and in 2016–2017. She also received the honor of being Teacher of the Year 2016–2017 representing Pasadena ISD in Region 4.

Over the past four-and-a-half years, Pat’s faith was strengthened continually through her Bible readings and devotional times. Many scriptures became her “strength and healing” verses to claim as God’s promises of healing and comfort. Through her countless CT scans, MRIs, her surgery, her chemo and radiation treatments, and her biotherapy treatments, she quoted her comfort verses for strength, courage, and patience. Most notably were Nahum 1:7: “The LORD is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him,” and Psalm 13:5-6: “But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. I will sing the LORD’s praise, for he has been good to me” (NIV). And God was always there, providing His comfort, strength, and many times physical healing and positive progress. However, she knew her ultimate and complete healing would be at the time her Father called her home. Her faith never wavered; her confidence in God’s healing never faltered.

The family would like to express a special “thank you” to both the doctors and medical staff at MD Anderson in Houston for the care and support they have shown Pat over the last four-and-a-half years. They would also like to express a special “thank you” to Houston Hospice over the last six weeks in helping to make Pat’s last days and homecoming as comfortable and peaceful as possible. Pat’s strength and courage have shown brightly throughout her fight. As II Timothy 4:7 says, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”

Visitation will be held from 5–7 p.m. on January 20, 2019, at Rosewood Funeral Home, 3939 Pasadena Blvd., Pasadena, Texas 77503. A Celebration of Life will be held at 3:05 p.m. on January 21, 2019 at First Baptist Church of Pasadena in the Chapel. Interment will be held at 2:00 p.m. on January 22, 2019 at Pt. Enterprise Cemetery in Mexia, Texas.

Memorial donations may be made to MD Anderson (gifts.MDAnderson.org) or Harvey Turner Elementary Library to continue Pat’s love of reading.