Paula Margaret (Kuhnert) Wright, 83, of Pinckneyville, passed away at 2:20 P.M., Saturday, April 11, 2026 at the Pinckneyville Nursing and Rehab.
Paula began working at Murphy-Wall State Bank and Trust Company on June 1, 1960.  She worked for seven years and ten months then took seven years off to be with her kids.  Paula went back to work at Murphy-Wall on September 1, 1975 and worked for another twenty-six years and six months until her retirement on February 28, 2002.  Paula was Vice President and loan officer and worked for a total of thirty-four years and four months.  She was a member of the First Baptist Church in Pinckneyville since February of 1951.  She accepted Jesus at the age of eight and was baptized at the church in February of 1951 by Pastor Archie Brown.  Paula was a good and faithful servant, teaching Sunday School and GAs.  She was part of WMU and many committees at church.  She also served at SIU for the international student lunches.  She graduated Pinckneyville Community High School on May 27, 1960.  Paula was a member of the A-Wa-We-Go Camping Club from 1999 until 2012.  She couldn't wait to retire so that she could travel with her husband, Carrol.  They enjoyed traveling and camping in forty-six states including Alaska, as well as Canada and Nova Scotia.  Paula loved her grandkids more than anything.  She took them everywhere, picking them up from school everyday and taking them to McDonald's to ruin their supper.  Paula traveled with her daughter-in-law, Jennifer, to China to adopt Madelyn.  Paula attended all sporting events or any activity the kids were involved with.  She spoiled them rotten.
She was born at home on September 1, 1942 in Pinckneyville, IL, the daughter of Willard Jesse and Ida Carrie (Krug) Kuhnert.
She married Carrol D. Wright on September 16, 1961 at the First Baptist Church in Pinckneyville and he preceded her in death on February 14, 2012.
She is survived by one son - Matthew L. Wright and wife Jennifer of Pinckneyville, and two grandchildren - Joshua L. Wright and wife Camilla and Madelyn X. Wright and fiancé Luke Zelasko.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, one daughter - Candace (Wright) Klein and one grandson - Noah Wright.
Funeral services will be at 11:00 A.M., Saturday, April 18, 2026 at the First Baptist Church in Pinckneyville with Rev. Mark Lee and Dale Thompson officiating.
Friends may call from 9 A.M. until the time of service on Saturday at the church.
Burial will be in the Mueller Hill Cemetery in Pinckneyville, IL.
Friends may make memorials to Perry County Humane Society and will be accepted at the funeral home.
Searby Funeral Home in Du Quoin is in charge of arrangements.