Patrinell “Pat” Staten Wright was born in Carthage Texas to the late Haru (Butler) Staten and Pastor Alton Staten, Sr. on January 16, 1944. Their union produced eight children – Patrinell, Alton Staten, Annie Laura Peterson, Ora Lee Kimbrough, Carrie B. Williams, John Staten, Gregory Staten and Gerald Ruth Staten. Wright and her siblings were raised in the church in Walnut Grove, TX. Prior to her passing, she was an active member of Ebenezer AME Church in Seattle.
Wright graduated from Turner high School in Carthage in 1961 and moved to Seattle that same year. Soon after arriving she met and married the love of her life, Benny Ray Wright, on June 19, 1961. To this union they welcomed their son Patrick Wright, and daughter Julie Washington.
Wright’s love of God, family and music guided her life. She started her legendary work with choirs in 1973 at Sharples Junior High School and then Franklin High School in the Seattle Public Schools. In 1974 the choirs moved out of the public schools into the community and became the Total Experience Gospel Choir (TEGC). The rest is history!
In her role as Founder, Musical Director and President of the TEGC she developed a local, national and international reputation as an accomplished pianist, master choir director and an amazing singer. She sang in churches, state houses, and concert halls across the nation and around the world, including Australia, Japan, and Russia. Her proudest, and perhaps most important, accomplishment was her impact on the lives of children and youth in the Seattle area.
At its largest the Total Experience Gospel Choir included nearly 100 children and youth from 3 – 21 years of age. Choir members toured the world singing gospel music and touching the lives of everyone in attendance. Through her work with the TEGC she mentored, directed, taught, and loved countless children and youth over more than four decades. She remains beloved by everyone who had the privilege of singing with her, as well as by the Seattle community at large.
The Total Experience Gospel Choir sang its final concert in Seattle in 2018 to a packed auditorium that included alumni choir members who sang with the choir across four decades. During this same time, she also served as Minister of Music for several churches, including Mount Zion Baptist Church, Prince of Peace Baptist Church, and Ebenezer AME Church.
Wright was preceded in death by her parents, Haru and Alton Staten; Sisters Annie Laura Peterson, Oral Lee Kimbrough, Carrie B. Williams, and Gerald Ruth Staten; Brothers Alton Staten and John Staten.
She is survived by her loving husband, Benny Wright; son Patrick (Tasha) Wright; daughter Julie Washington; Grandchildren: DeShe Brooks, Justin Tompkins, Miles Tompkins, Abbie Wright, Diamani Wright, Dymier Wright, Alaiya Wright and Jaden Tompkins; Brother Gregory Staten; and a host of nieces and nephews.
The family has planned a private memorial service. There will be no public service.
A Musical Celebration of Life is being planned for the public. Details are forthcoming.
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Seattle Mourns The Passing of Seattle’s “First Lady Of Gospel” Pastor Patrinell “Pat” Wright
