100 Candles
By David M. Wright
Norma J. Wright, better known as “Honey Bunch,” was born December 26th 1925 in Waynesboro, Ga. She grew up in Fort Lauderdale and later graduated in West Palm Beach from Industrial High School in 1943. After strong persuasion from her Aunt Elizabeth McCoy, her father Mose McCoy agreed to send her to Tuskegee Institute where she graduated in 1947, the first female of her family to graduate college. At Tuskegee, she walked the halls with airmen and studied in the George Washington Carver Science building with other historic figures. Her loving mother Lillie Bell Sapp was extremely proud of her and all the hard work it took to achieve such accomplishments.
After college Norma worked as a Dietitian in several institutions including Kate Bitting Reynolds Memorial Hospital, (“Katie B”) the first black hospital in Winston Salem N.C. and later at the Cheltenham Youth Detention Center where she met her husband to be the late Julius Wright. They raised five children and have eleven grandchildren, five great grandchildren and two great, great grandchildren. Honey Bunch also worked as a Social Worker and Truant Officer /Visiting Teacher with the Broward County School Board. Her many activities included the Les Bon Ami’s, where she served for many year with Mrs. Maude Storr, (another Centenarian ), and the countless number of Cinderella Balls, a founding secretary member of the Trailblazers of Broward County, with her lifelong friend and founder Beauregard Cummings, and the Lutheran Women Missionary League.
Norma’s loving kind spirit was evident at an early age which inspired her nickname by a family member. (Honey Bunch).
She recalls playing in Dr. James Sistrunk’s office as a child and has fond memories of growing up in this community, especially being able to go to Fort Lauderdale Beach with friends, family and loved ones.
Today we honor Norma, her life, her legacy and all the lives God blessed her to touch in the 100 years of service. Truly a life well lived.
P.S. more to come…