Wright & Calvey Funeral Home: The Journey of Dreams, Life & Death
Wright & Calvey Funeral Home
Wright & Calvey Funeral Home is a business built on deep family ties—both by blood and by bond. Owned by the Wright brothers and Mr. Darrell Calvey, the funeral home is guided by a shared commitment to serving their community with compassion and dignity. The Wright brothers include Mr. Bryant Wright Sr. (who we had the pleasure of interviewing), Mr. Conrad Wright, Mr. Edward Wright Sr., and the late Mr. Gregory Wright Sr., who sadly passed away in December 2024. Their longtime manager and embalmer, Mr. Joseph N. Fleet, Sr., also passed just two days before Gregory. While they are in the business of helping families through loss, this past December was an especially difficult time for them.
Despite his busy schedule, Mr. Bryant took the time to speak with us about his journey as a funeral director. On this particular day, his brothers were handling funeral services and other duties, reflecting the teamwork that keeps Wright & Calvey running. Mr. Bryant and Mr. Calvey serve as the funeral directors, while the other Wright brothers provide steadfast support and guidance in the business.
As the founder, general manager, and co-owner, Mr. Bryant wears many hats, though he credits his success to the collaboration of his fellow owners. His dream of becoming a funeral director began at just 14 years old, but the path wasn’t always clear. Initially, he was deeply uncomfortable with death—so much so that as a child, he avoided funerals and suffered nightmares after those he was forced to attend. Determined to overcome his fear, he asked his older sister, who worked at a funeral home, if he could accompany her to work one day. When he arrived and saw what he had feared most, anxiety set in, but with no way out, he watched. What he saw changed everything—the care, precision, and compassion that funeral directors put into their work. That night, instead of nightmares, he dreamed of his own future in funeral service.
Before realizing that dream could become a reality, Mr. Bryant ran a limousine service, where he frequently drove families and their departed loved ones to funeral services. It was through this work that he met Mr. Darrell Calvey, owner of his own funeral home in Roseland. One day, as they talked, Mr. Bryant shared his dream of becoming a funeral director. Recognizing his passion, Mr. Calvey encouraged him: “Go ahead, get your schooling done, find a building, and get back to me.” With determination, Mr. Bryant did just that. Eventually, he secured the downtown location in the Iowa District neighborhood, and Mr. Calvey came on board as a partner. When Mr. Bryant shared the news with his brothers, they were excited but didn’t want him to take on the challenge alone. Instead, they all agreed to join him, and together, they built Wright & Calvey Funeral Home into the trusted institution it is today.
Since its opening in 2011, the funeral home has remained dedicated to providing dignified, compassionate care to families during their most vulnerable moments. As their 14th anniversary approaches on April 17th, Wright & Calvey Funeral Home hopes to celebrate the journey, the legacy they’ve built, and the love they’ve poured into their community. Mr. Bryant oversees daily operations, while his brothers play vital roles in the business. Conrad Wright serves as the Board President and handles all Accounts Receivables and Accounts Payable. Mr. Darrell Calvey serves as Vice-President of the Board, and Mr. Will Edward Wright, Sr. serves as Treasurer. Ms. Brenda Wright is the Board Recording Secretary and Office Secretary. Mr. Joseph N. Fleet, Jr. serves as Office Manager and Funeral Director.
Mr. Bryant extends his deepest respect to all funeral directors for the invaluable work they do.
