Paul Orneliues Wright, Jr.

The world was forever changed on July 4, 1980, when Paul Beard and Charlene Wright welcomed the birth of a little boy they named Paul O. Wright, Jr.

Paul grew up in Arkadelphia and had many friends. He was that cool laid-back friend. He loved to joke around and just have a good time. He was a 1998 graduate of Arkadelphia High School where he excelled as a student and as an athlete playing the defensive lineman position for the football team. His giving nature and his pursuit for the next best thing was a magnet for those who wanted his energy to rub off on them.

Paul attended Henderson State University and later moved to Wynne where he met LaToya Vasser in 2006. He married the love of his life on December 7, 2009 and to this union three children were born, Amari, Ahki and Ava.

After the death of LaToya he moved to Desoto, Texas for a new beginning. Paul was an entrepreneur and worked as owner/operator of LAFRANCE ENTERPRISES, LLC., in Desoto, Texas. Although he was not perfect, he strived to be a great husband, father and step-father. He loved his family and he will truly be missed. He was a die-hard San Francisco 49ers football fan and he enjoyed the music of Kevin Gates. His energetic personality brought laughter and life. He always maintained close ties to his family and childhood friends. He was real and kept it “100”. He enjoyed being the life of the party, fishing and trips back Arkansas.

During all of his thirty-eight seasons of life, he made friends across all walks of life. He was loved and no doubt will always be remembered.

Paul was preceded in death by his father, Paul C. Beard, Sr., two sisters, Catina Beard and Linda Campbell and his first wife, LaToya.

He leaves his wife, Tamara Lafrance Wright of Desoto, TX; his mother, Charlene Wright and Marty Smith of Malvern, AR; his beloved children, Johnedra D. Golden and Akeilla N. Wright both of Arkadelphia, AR, Amari L. Wright, Ahki L. Wright, Ava L. Wright and Jayden Lefrance all of Desoto, TX; one grandson, Khing J. Batton of Arkadelphia, AR; two sisters, Debra (Herman) Monroe of Dallas, TX and Diana Luton of Malvern, AR; two special cousins he loved as brothers, Shunn Newborn and Courtney Evans; his sister-in-law, Tyra Lafrance. He also leaves his uncles, Terry (Rosemary) Wright, Charles (Dorothy) Beard, William Beard and Jerry Beard; aunts, Cherry (Sam) Ballard and Marie Quarles, a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and numerous friends.

Public visitation will be from 12 noon until 4:00 p.m. at Greater Pleasant Hill on Friday, November 8, 2019 and the family will receive friends from 6:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at Greater Pleasant Hill Baptist Church. A service to celebrate his life will be shared with family and friends at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 9, 2019 at Greater Pleasant Hill Baptist Church with Rev. J. L. Newborn, eulogist. Interment will be at Pleasant Hill Cemetery. 

Bearers of the casket Rico Brown, Jerome Macon, Keyuan Morris, Adrian Newborn, Kenneth Hookfin, Derrick Marlow, Kaiven Wesley and Kerwin Taylor. Honorable to mention are the AHS Class of 1998, William Beard, Jerry Beard, Marty Smith, Terry Nelson and James Luton, Jr.