Phynola Joanne McGauley Wright, 73, of Blackshear passed away Friday, July 11, 2025.
She was born June 10, 1952, in Blackshear. She was the firstborn to the late Thomas Sr. and Minister Mary Jean McGauley.
She was a quiet child who loved to read books, do crossword puzzles and sing.
She attended school in Pierce County, where she graduated from Blackshear High School. After high school, she had planned to enlist in the army but did not carry out that plan.
She moved to Miami, FL, with her aunt, the late Dorthy Ann Hagan, and attended the University of Miami. She graduated from there July 9, 1975, with a bachelor of arts in journalism.
Upon completion, she moved back to Georgia and worked for The Blackshear Times as the community voice associate editor, but soon, grew weary with that choice. She decided to enroll and be trained as an EMT. She worked for Pierce County for a few years in that field before deciding to enroll in the nursing field.
She attended the then-named Brunswick Junior College Division of Nursing and received her degree on her birthday, June 10, 1983. She worked for many different hospitals, including Clinch County Memorial in Homerville, Charlton County Hospital in Folkston and Bacon County Hospital in Alma, but found Waycross to be her best fit. It was at Memorial Satilla Health that she dedicated 45 years of her life helping and taking care of others.
She has been a lifelong member of Bethel Temple of First Born Church Of The Living God, INC. She was a deaconess, Sunday school teacher and one of the best choir members ever. She had a passion for singing and she had no problem giving God praise and glory everywhere. She is known throughout South Georgia as a beautiful soloist with a strong voice and pleasant nature.
She was preceded in death by her parents, two sisters, Sabrina Padgett and Thomansine Ricks and one brother, Thomas Jr.
She leaves to cherish her memories, her one and only child, Germiska McGauley-Miles; four grandchildren, Xavier (Ashli) McGauley, Maikala (Brian) McGauley, Keanu (Mikayla) Miles and Kylill (Tina) Miles; two great-grandchildren, Tharon and Ky'lanni; siblings Vaniece (David Sr.) Harris, Zelma Latson, Ronald McGauley, Christopher McGauley and Michael Lawton; her aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews and a host of cousins, co-workers, and a community that loved to hear her sing.
Family and friends are being received at the home of Germiska McGauley, 222 Mary Street, Blackshear.
A homegoing celebration will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, July 19, from the Bethel Temple First Born Church, 209 Burroughs Street, Blackshear.
A repast will follow the service at the Lee Street Resource Center, 623 Sycamore Street, Blackshear.
Rainge Memorial Chapel Funeral Home of Blackshear is in charge of arrangements.
