Josephine Wright, who fought developers to save her Hilton Head home, dies at 94
Josephine Wright, the 94-year-old who battled developers to save her home on Hilton Head Island, has died.
Her church, Mt. Calvary Missionary Baptist Church of Hilton Head Island, announced her death in a Facebook post Monday. She died “surrounded by family, loved ones and prayers” Jan. 7, according to a statement from her family.
Wright garnered national media attention after Georgia-based developer Bailey Point Investment sued her in February in what she feared was a financial bullying tactic to get her to move. At a time when Gullah-owned land on Hilton Head is rapidly diminishing, Wright’s unwavering fight to maintain the land she and her late husband, Samuel Wright Sr., moved to over 30 years ago made a statement.
“The property is historical,” Wright said in an interview with The Island Packet and Beaufort Gazette last month. “It should remain historical.”
In August, the town halted construction on the planned project by Bailey Point Investment that would have created a sprawling 147-unit neighborhood until the lawsuit is out of mediation. The developer’s lawsuit claimed that parts of Wrights property, including a shed and the home’s back porch, crossed into its property.
Wright’s fight grabbed the attention of celebrities including Tyler Perry, who promised to build Wright a dream home on the property. The land will be passed down to her children, Wright said at the time.
Perry took to Facebook Monday to share his condolences and reaffirm his commitment to building Wright’s family a new home.
“I am so heartbroken to hear about the passing of this warrior,” he wrote. “Mrs. Josephine Wright, even though we spoke by phone, I was so looking forward to meeting you in person next month to hand you the keys to your new house, but God had other plans.”
Wright was in the process of designing her new home, and permits were set to be submitted for this month, according to her daughter Charise Graves. Wright had said she was looking forward to a five-bedroom home that could comfortably host her family when any of them came to visit.
“I’m not fancy,” she said at the time. “I want a good solid living without any kind of fancy doodads.”
Hilton Head Island Mayor Alan Perry acknowledged Wright’s impact in an emailed statement Monday afternoon.
“She left an indelible mark on all those who knew her well. Even those who met her just once will never forget her,” he said. “Ms. Wright did not let age stop her from showing her strength, speaking her mind, and fighting for her family and what she felt was right.”
Her home going service will be Jan. 13 at 1 p.m. at Mt. Calvary Baptist Church on Hilton Head Island and there will be a virtual service for those who can’t attend, according to the statement from Wright’s family. The services can be streamed at: https://www.facebook.com/ChisholmGallowayFuneralHome
This is a breaking news story. It will be updated as more information becomes available.
This story was originally published January 8, 2024 at 4:03 PM.
