A native of Gaston County, he was the son of Nettie Warlick Wright of Cherryville and the late Ervin P. Wright.  He was an active member of Shady Grove Baptist Church where he served in the church choir.  Joel was a former instructor for Charlotte Barber School and was a Barber for 51 years.  He also was a member of the Masonic Lodge #505 AF and AM, former member of the Oasis Shrine Temple and Scottish Rite Bodies of Charlotte.  Joel enjoyed raising Black Angus Cattle.

Joel is survived by his wife of 54 years, Nita F. Wright; three daughters, Pam Farnsworth and husband, Randy of Cherryville; Beth Sigmon and husband, Barry of Newton; and Rhonda Buff and husband, David of Kings Mountain; six grandchildren, Dustin and Brandon Farnsworth, Ashley, Katlyn and Taylor Sigmon and Hunter Buff; and a sister, Janice Beam of Kings Mountain.

The family will receive friends from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM, Saturday, September 17, 2011 at Stamey~Cherryville Funeral, Cherryville.  At other times the family will be at the home.

Funeral service will be 4:00 PM, Sunday, September 18, 2011 at Shady Grove Baptist Church with Rev. Tim Robbins and Rev. Robert Redding officiating.  Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

Memorials may be made to Shady Grove Baptist Church, 3242 Tryon Courthouse Road, Cherryville, NC 28021 or to Gaston County Hospice, PO Box 3984, Gastonia, NC 28054.

A guest register is available at www.stameyfuneralhome.com.

Stamey~Cherryville Funeral Home is serving the Wright family.