The publication is reproduced in full below:
TRIBUTE TO THE HONORABLE EVELYN WRIGHT TURNER PUGH
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HON. SANFORD D. BISHOP, JR.
of georgia
in the house of representatives
Monday, July 19, 2021
Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Madam Speaker, it is with a heavy heart and solemn remembrance that I rise today to pay tribute to an extraordinary public servant, wife, mother and dear friend of longstanding to many, the Honorable Evelyn Wright Turner Pugh. Sadly, Ms. Pugh passed away on Saturday, July 10, 2021. A memorial celebration of her life will be held at 11:00 am, Monday July 19, 2021 at Revelation Baptist Church, 203 R.C. Allen Drive, Columbus, Georgia.
A native of Columbus, Evelyn Wright was born on June 23, 1950 to the late Willie ``Son'' Wright and Mary Pearl Haynes. She attended George Washington Carver High School, graduating in 1968. Upon graduation she married Marcus ``Pancho'' Turner and they had 2 sons, Marcus Deon and Maurice. Determined to prepare herself for an amazing career, she attended Columbus College (now Columbus State University) where she received her Associate's degree in Secretarial Science, a Bachelor's in Management/Accounting and a Master's in Business Administration. Beginning her career as a secretary at Columbus College and Progressive Funeral Home she earned her tuition and was mentored by Columbus icon, Mr. George Washington Ford, being inspired by his example of selfless service in helping others.
Evelyn gained employment at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Georgia and rose quickly through the ranks holding a plethora of positions ranging from entry level to managerial across a span of 30 years. In 1999 she was appointed Vice President of Sun Trust Bank, West Georgia, a position she held until her retirement from the banking industry in 2012.
When her marriage ended in divorce, she successfully managed her roles as mother and business executive but felt a calling to serve her community. Growing out of a group of young adults concerned about conditions in the Columbus community, ``People For A Cause'', Evelyn offered herself for public office and in 1988 was elected to the City Council of Columbus where she served for 30 years, 14 as Mayor Pro Tem, working to improve the quality of life for the people of Columbus.
Due to her strong leadership and dedication to public service, she was selected for numerous other responsibilities. She was appointed by Governor Zell Miller to the Georgia Policy Council on Children and Families; to the University of Georgia Carl Vinson Institute of Government Advisory Committee; and the Mental Health Mental Retardation Substance Abuse Funding Study Committee. She was appointed Chair of the National League of Cities' Public Safety and Crime Prevention Steering Committee, working with U.S. Attorney General Janet Reno on the use of grants from the Community Oriented Policing Services Program; was elected Georgia Chair of Women in Municipal Government; President of the Georgia Municipal Association and Board of Directors of the National League of Cities.
And if that was not enough, she continued service on local boards, including the Board of Directors of Girls, Inc.; St. Francis Hospital; Columbus Technical College; Liberty Theater and Muscogee Educational Excellence Foundation. She was a faithful member of the Columbus Chapter of The Links, Inc.; and Columbus Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., serving as Treasurer and Financial Secretary. She was awarded the Martin Luther King, Jr. Unity Award, among other distinguished honors, including being named by Georgia Trend Magazine as one of Georgia's top public servants. Moreover, she served as Treasurer for my political campaign committees, both State and Federal, for over 4 decades and was a trusted friend.
Evelyn was a devoted sister, mother, grandmother, aunt, mentor and friend to many. She poured herself into her sons, Deon and Maurice. She found love later in life, married the late Lieutenant Colonel (Ret) Reginald Pugh and lovingly embraced her new blended family, including Reggie, Jr., Tijuana and Talender. She was proud of all of her grandchildren and doted in their every achievement.
Evelyn loved God and served him throughout her life in various capacities through Holsey Chapel CME Church, Fourth Street Baptist Church and Revelation Baptist Church.
Shirley Chisholm often said that ``Service is the rent that we pay for the space we occupy on this earth''. Evelyn paid her rent and she paid it well. She gave so much to so many for so long and continued until she could give no more. Columbus, the State of Georgia, our nation and all those whose lives she touched are better because of her.
Madam Speaker, I ask that my colleagues in the House of Representatives join my wife Vivian and me, along with the residents of the 2nd Congressional District of Georgia in paying tribute to The Honorable Evelyn Wright Turner Pugh for her service and in extending our deepest condolences to her family, friends and all who mourn her loss. Moreover, we pray that we will all be consoled and comforted by an abiding faith and the Holy Spirit in the days, weeks and months ahead.
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SOURCE: Congressional Record Vol. 167, No. 126
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