Lola Wright McGovern (Cardell) gave up this earthly life in the early morning of Jan. 1, 2014, after a brave struggle with breast cancer for several years. Lola will be remembered by most of her friends and neighbors in the local community as a strong woman true to her beliefs and focused on helping people with their spiritual and nutritional needs.
Lola was born on April 14, 1927, in Lariat, Texas. She was the eighth child of 13 born to William Thomas and Ella (Peacock) Cardell. Lola’s early childhood was spent with her family following the crops from Texas to New Mexico before settling in Lordsburg in 1935. This child of the depression era carried the memories of her early years proudly with her for all her days.
Lola became a pen pal to Lordsburg WWII soldier, Preston Wright, in 1944, and married him in June of 1946 on his return. Preston worked several years for Phelps Dodge in Morenci, before moving to San Manuel in 1955 and becoming the Lime Kiln foreman, a job he held until his death in 1974.
Lola met Earl McGovern in 1981 and they became the first couple to be married in the Oracle Kingdom Hall for Jehovah’s Witnesses in 1982. This brief marriage was one of happiest times of Lola’s life as she and Earl traveled together to musical events and to visit family all across the country. Lola loved playing the guitar with Earl and a local group of friends, right up until Earl’s untimely death in 1983.
Lola’s (Peacock) ancestors were pioneer ranchers of Texas, and her grandparents were co-founders of the town of Peacock, Texas. This prompted a lifelong love of everything peacock. In fact, she was the proud owner of two peacocks for several years just off the Mount Lemmon Road in Oracle. However, Lola loved nothing more than family. She was proud of each of her three children, four grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren. She had many nieces and nephews who will all miss her greatly.
She was preceded by her parents; husbands, Preston and Earle; son, Larry K.; and all but three of her siblings. Lola is survived by one son, Alan Wright (Barbara) of Oro Valley, Arizona, and one daughter, Dolly Wright (Armbrust) of Reno, Nevada.
She will be greatly missed by all of her family, as well as by her entire community of Jehovah’s Witnesses, many of whom visited and helped with her care during the last days of her illness. We are grateful to the Valor Hospice care people who provided her with her primary care during her final days.
A memorial service will be held at the Oracle Kingdom Hall on Saturday, Jan. 11, 2014, at 2 p.m. Family and friends will join together at the Oracle Community Center following the memorial service to share their memories of this Tri-Community resident of 59 years.