Funeral services for Mr. Leon Wright will be held on Friday, July 22, 2016 at 11:00 am at Beulah Refuge Tabernacle, Orangeburg, SC. Interment services will follow immediately at Belleville Memorial Gardens. Viewing for the public will be held on Thursday from 12:00 noon- 8:00 pm. The family will greet friends at the funeral home between the hours of 6:00-8:00 pm.


Leon Wright was born on September 7, 1943, in Orangeburg, South Carolina to the late Mr. James and Mother Jessie Amaker Wright. He is the 5th of 8 children. He married Sannie McMillan Wright. To this union three children were born, Corey Leon, Travis Wendell and April Lorraine. He departed this life, Monday afternoon, July 18, 2016, at home after a brief illness.
Leon was educated in the public school system in Orangeburg, South Carolina. He graduated from Wilkinson High School in 1961. He then, like his older brothers, moved to New York City. However, after a brief stay, he realized that South Carolina was where he needed to be. After settling down in Orangeburg, he met Sannie McMillan while working at the same job. They fell in love and married on May 3, 1969. Leon continued working numerous jobs before deciding that law enforcement was the career for him.
In 1969, Leon began his career as a police officer at South Carolina State University (SCSU) in Orangeburg, South Carolina. During the first year of his employment, he attended and graduated from the Police Academy in Columbia, South Carolina, receiving his Certification in Law Enforcement. Throughout his career, he served as a Campus Police Officer, a Lieutenant and Chief Investigator. Within this time, he also studied Criminal Justice at Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College. In 1994, Leon retired after 25 years of service. Because of his great love for law enforcement, he returned to SCSU to work as a part-time Security Officer in the Library for several years. He also worked at the County Courthouse for 3 ½ years. Throughout his career (before and after retirement), he was awarded many certificates of recognition for his dedicated services rendered. In addition, he was a very active member of the Palmetto State Law Enforcement Officers Association.
Everyone who knew Leon, knew that he had a great sense of humor, loved to laugh and wore the biggest smile. He was a man of few words when it came to expressing himself, but his actions spoke volumes to exhibit the depth of his love for his family and his belief in God. It was never more apparent than during his final months of life, when he gave his life to Christ. Even though he was baptized in Jesus name years ago, it was his final days on earth that had the greatest impact on his family, when he openly acknowledged Christ as his Lord and Savior assuring them that God will take care of them. Brother Leon willingly heeded to the voice of God when he called him home to eternal glory. Leon's life is a reminder to us all that God is in control and has the final say.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a daughter, Monica Aiken Fields and a brother, James Wright, Jr.
Leon leaves to cherish his precious memories – a loving wife, Sannie McMillan Wright of the home; three sons, Bryant Aiken of Orangeburg, South Carolina, Corey Leon (Paula) Wright of Columbia, South Carolina, Travis Wendell Wright of Atlanta, GA; a daughter April Wright (James, Jr.) Jenkins of Alpharetta, GA; two grandsons, James Erskine Jenkins, III and Christian Micah Jenkins;  a granddaughter,  Allison Lori Jenkins; four brothers, Bishop Wayman (Ernestine) Wright of Iselin, N.J., Bishop Whittaker (Lucille) Wright of Bronx, N.Y., Bishop Charles (Faye) Wright of Yonkers, N.Y. And Mr. Calvin (Tonya) Wright of Orangeburg, S.C.; two sisters, Shepherd Mother Betty (David) Smith and Sister Glorious (Willie Clay) Hampton both of Orangeburg, S.C. and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.