CLARKSDALE –Ella Dean Wright, 81, widow of Clarksdale’s acclaimed radio broadcaster Early Wright, died early Saturday, April 14, at Northwest Mississippi Regional Medical Center following a long illness.

Visitation will be held from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, April 20, at Century Funeral Home with services at 1 p.m. Saturday at Silent Grove Missionary Baptist Church with the Rev. Nathaniel Pollard officiating. Burial will be in Heavenly Rest Cemetery with Century Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

Mrs. Wright, who was a longtime resident of Clarksdale following her marriage, was born in Brazil, Miss. She and Early Wright were married 51years and were the parents of two daughters who preceded them in death.

Early Wright, who was the first African American radio broadcaster in Mississippi, hosted nightly gospel and blues shows as “The Soul Man” on WROX Radio for more than 50 years, died in December 1999.

Wright, was the spiritual leader of the Sunflower River Blues and Gospel Festival, and the festival’s highest award: The Early Wright Heritage Award, was established in his name. Mrs. Wright is survived by seven grandchildren.