Pastor Patrinell “Pat” Wright left a lasting mark on the world through music, ministry and a lifelong commitment to guiding young people.
Long before she became known as Seattle’s “First Lady of Gospel,” Wright was a young girl in Texas with a gift for song and a calling rooted in faith.
Born on January 16, 1944, in Carthage, Texas, Wright was raised in a large, close-knit family grounded in church and community. The daughter of Pastor Alton Staten Sr. and Haru Butler Staten, she grew up surrounded by music, ministry and discipline. By age 3, she sang her first solo in church, and by 14, she was already directing choirs, stepping into leadership roles that would shape the rest of her life.
Wright graduated from Turner High School in 1961 and soon made her way to Seattle, a move that would not only change her life, but leave a lasting mark on the region. Shortly after arriving, she met and married Benny Ray Wright. Together, they built a family and raised two children, Patrick Wright and Julie Washington.
Wright’s love of music and ministry found its fullest expression in Seattle. In 1973, she began working with choirs at Sharples Junior High School and Franklin High School. What started as a school-based gospel music program quickly grew into something much larger. By 1974, the program had moved beyond the classroom and into the community, becoming the Total Experience Gospel Choir.
Under Wright’s leadership as founder, musical director and president, the choir became a powerful force in gospel music. Known for its high-energy performances and disciplined excellence, the Total Experience Gospel Choir grew into a nationally and internationally recognized ensemble. At its height, the choir included nearly 100 children and youth, ranging in age from 3 to 21.
Over the decades, the choir performed in dozens of states and more than 20 countries, sharing gospel music across cultures and continents. They sang for U.S. presidents, recorded albums and collaborated with major artists, while also appearing in television commercials and radio programs. But for Wright, the choir’s success was never about recognition or travel.
Her proudest accomplishment was the impact she had on young people.
Through the Total Experience Gospel Choir, Wright mentored, taught and guided generations of youth, offering not only musical training, but structure, discipline and care. For many, the choir became a second home.
“At first, it wasn’t my intention to mother all of these children,” Wright once said. “But they needed the choir. For some it was all they had. I can’t stand to see children hurting.”
That sense of responsibility became a defining part of her work. Former choir members often credit Wright with helping them discover their gifts and shaping the direction of their lives.
Wright’s influence extended far beyond music. She served as minister of music at several churches, including Mount Zion Baptist Church, Prince of Peace Baptist Church and Ebenezer AME Church. In 1997, she co-founded the Oneness Christian Center in Seattle, where she served as pastor.
She also played a key role in Seattle’s Black media, serving as the first religious editor for The Seattle Medium and later becoming the first gospel announcer on KRIZ radio, where she used both platforms to uplift the community.
Her work in the community reflected that same commitment. Wright used her platform to support youth, assist families and respond in times of crisis, including efforts to help those affected by Hurricane Katrina. She also advocated for Black contractors and remained deeply invested in the well-being and growth of young people in Seattle.
Those who knew her often spoke about both her presence and her purpose, describing her voice and spirit as uplifting and deeply inspiring.
In 2018, the Total Experience Gospel Choir gave its final concert in Seattle, drawing a packed audience that included alumni spanning more than four decades. It was a reflection of the reach of Wright’s work and the lasting connections she built through music and mentorship.
Wright died on August 30, 2022, in Seattle, leaving behind a legacy that lives on in the voices of those she mentored.
