Barbara Herring Wright

Barbara Gay Herring Wright, of Charlottesville, Virginia, passed away on Sunday, November 1, 2026.

Born on May 6, 1938, she was the daughter of the late William Frederick Herring and Ellen Donald Herring. She was also preceded in death by her younger sister, Betty L. Oliphant, and her cousin, Mary Catherine Wright, who was her lifelong best friend and sister-in-law (because they married brothers).

Barbara was a social being who never met a stranger. Stand next to her in line at Talbots or Southern Grace—two of her favorite stores—and you were likely to leave with her phone number and a new best friend. 

To know Barbara was to love her. She was bubbly, positive, kind, and bright — both in character and appearance, often adorning herself in her favorite color, lime green. As her birthday neared every year, her loved ones spent hours scouring stores for lime green gifts since they knew it was a guarantee she’d never be disappointed.

She had a deep love of music and shared her natural talent by playing the piano, singing, and playing bells in her church choir. In fact, she kept tap dancing into her eighties.

Barbara’s faith was central to her life. She was actively involved with Cherry Avenue Christian Church while raising her two sons, and later became a member of Culpeper United Methodist Church, where she formed lasting friendships. In recent years, she regularly attended the Glenmore Women’s Faith Forum, keeping God at the center of her life.

Following a stroke in 2025, Barbara moved to Our Lady of Peace. She quickly became the in-house social butterfly, befriending nearly everyone she met. Though the move was unexpected, she approached it with her characteristic positivity and optimism. She loved walking the halls, chatting with others, and made good friends in the short time she was there. She especially enjoyed her breakfast buddies, the wonderful staff, and the people there who made her feel a part of a loving community.

Although her bright light is gone from the lives of those she touched, it will live on in their memories. Heaven is undoubtedly brighter (and greener) now that she has arrived.

Barbara is survived by her sons, Joseph W. Wright III and his wife Lisa, and Michael K. Wright and his wife Laurie, both of Keswick, Virginia; her grandchildren, Ian J. Wright, Brooke E. Scarsella, and step-grandchildren Fulton A. Little, Nikki Johnson, and Kori Wallace; and twelve beloved great-grandchildren.

A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. on Friday, November 6, 2026, at Preddy Funeral Home in Gordonsville, Virginia, with Pastor Lindsey Ellis officiating. Burial will follow in Maplewood Cemetery.

The family invites attendees to wear their most colorful outfit—lime green if possible—to honor her cheerful spirit and love of bright colors.