“In the twinkling of an eye” on October 12, 2024, Alma Jean (Heer) Wright of Gardner, Kansas, slipped from this world and entered Heaven’s joys. The automobile accident that claimed her earthly life had no control over her eternal destiny. She is, without a doubt, present with the Lord whom she loved so well.
Alma Jean was born February 7, 1945, in Marion, Indiana, into the home of Leo Andrew and Alma Mae (Allison) Heer. As her father was a minister, the family lived in several locations throughout Alma Jean’s childhood.
Alma Jean graduated from high school in Eskridge, Kansas. After graduation, Alma Jean attended Kansas City College & Bible School for a year. Her jobs included telephone operator at Southwestern Bell, cook in the KCCBS cafeteria, and clerk in the KCCBS business office.
In 1963, Alma Jean moved to Kansas City and lived with some other young ladies – Kathy Wright among them. A young Joe Russell prodded Kathy’s younger brother Gary toward Alma Jean by saying, “You need to ask that girl for a date! She’s dying to date you.”
Gary calmly answered, “I could…I’ll think about it.” On June 1, 1968, the day after Gary’s college graduation, Gary and Alma Jean were married in Chanute, Kansas.
Life in Overland Park, Kansas, saw Alma Jean and Gary welcoming their daughter Sharmen Sue into their family, followed by their son Michael Jay the next year. Son Jonathan Lee completed their family unit seven years later. The family’s home on Craig Drive in Overland Park, KS, was the site of many family gatherings. 2008 brought change and a move to Gardner, KS, but no matter where she lived, Alma Jean LOVED having company. Family events sometimes included slideshows, but they always included memories and laughter. Lots of laughter.
Alma Jean may not have worked outside the home while raising her children, but she was rarely idle. She prioritized her family and shepherded her children well, modeling how to love God and people.
Alma Jean had several hobbies – genealogy, scrapbooking, quilting, and more – but she was passionate about ministry. Her pet projects have included Women Alive, 60+, vacation Bible school, and more than forty years of Sunday school teaching. She blessed many with calls, texts, personal visits, and her monthly newsletters. She sent letters to college students, missionaries, prisoners, and shut-ins for years. Alma Jean’s big heart had her and Gary visiting many hospitals, nursing homes, and prisons.
Alma Jean has served well in every church she has attended. Most recently, the Olathe Church of God (Holiness) has benefited from her project vision, organizational skills, and outreach efforts. One ministry very close to Alma Jean’s heart was Samaritan’s Purse and their Operation Christmas Child shoebox distribution project.
Alma Jean Wright is enjoying the glorious sights of Heaven alongside her parents Leo and Alma Heer, her aunt Ila Heer, her son Michael Wright, and her son-in-law Rob McCollum.
Survivors include Gary Wright of Gardner, Kansas; daughter Sharmen McCollum, son Jonathan (Darla) Wright, and daughter-in-law Shawna Wright; grandchildren Luanna (Austin) Tolley, Esther (Timothy) Replogle, Julianna Wright, Joseph Wright, Karson Wright, and Leo Wright; great-grandchildren Evelyn Jay Tolley and Gage Harrison Tolley; and truly a host of family and friends, all of whom look forward to meeting Alma Jean Wright in Heaven someday.
Visitation will be held from 4:30-6:30 PM on October 24, 2024, at the Overland Park Church of God (Holiness), 6801 W 74th St., Overland Park, KS. The funeral will be held at the same location at 10 AM on October 25, 2024. Interment at Memory Gardens of Bourbon County, 2193 Indian Rd., Fort Scott, KS, will follow at 2:00 PM, October 25, 2024.