Henry Landon Wright, born March 9, 1920 (or maybe 1919 he and his younger sister Jesse could
never seem to agree on that piece of information) crossed over the river December 3, 2012. He
was preceded in death and led into heaven by the tail wagging, whoo woofing Molly McKenna, a
Cum Laude graduate of the Daisy Hill Puppy Farm and Obedience School.
Henry was born in Franklin County Virginia to Sarah Maude Sigmond Wright and James Harrison
Wright. He was one of thirteen children and is survived by his wife Audrey of 66 years and two
sisters Jesse Powers and Charlotte Patterson, two sons Terry Wright and Dr. Kim Wright of
Appomattox, Perry Wright and Dr. Rebecca Hardcastle Wright of Potomac Maryland and one
daughter Merry Wright McKenna and Allen McKenna of Bristol, Virginia. Grandchildren include
Joseph and Laura McKenna, Stephanie, Christopher, Sherry and William Wright and three great
grand children
Henry served in the United States Navy during World War II and was among the first deployed to
Kaneohe Bay Hawaii, following the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941. During his military duty he
received special recognition for the design and creation of a sighting device used on military
aircraft.
Following his discharge from the Navy Henry went to work for the Marriott Corporation as the
youngest Manager of Hot Shoppes in Washington DC. It was in D.C. that he met his wife Audrey
Claire James.
Hot Shoppes was the foundation of the Marriott family hospitality empire, which grew from a
single storefront restaurant opened in 1927. No one could make a better chicken croquette or a
famous orange freeze then Henry. After a 20 journey with J.W. Marriott and his son Bill Marriott
Jr. Henry opened the first of many restaurants "The Flying Saucer Drive Inn in Baileys Cross
Roads Virginia, followed by three John Mosby Inn restaurants with two in Old Town Alexandria
and one in Appomattox and the Confederate Food Shop in Falls Church, VA. Henry entertained
many celebrities and dignitaries during his forty plus year career. Among some of the notables
were President Gerald Ford, the Washington Redskins, President Nixon and PBS.
His love for history and wanting a slower pace Henry moved to Appomattox with his family and
built a home in 1974. Two years later in 1976 Henry and Audrey opened the John Mosby Inn
Restaurant. This was the site of many good times for locals. No one will forget his strawberry
pies and the big smile that he always served up with them. Grand Pa Jones from the legendary
Hee Haw was a restaurant patron in Appomattox and on one visit following a musical rendition
on the spoons the staff and Henry received a hardy Yum Yum to the strawberry pie. Henry was a
long time fan of country music.
Henry will always be remembered for that big smile, kind heart and willingness to help someone
in need. He spoke proudly and frequently of his children and grand children and loved them all
deeply. Maybe an ordinary man by some folk's standards, but an extraordinary man by those that
knew him. He will be missed greatly.
A celebration of Henry's life will be held on December 29, 2012 from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm at the
Babcock House in Appomattox Virginia. Family and friends are invited to attend. This nontraditional
event will applaud a life well lived from a family well loved. In lieu of flowers,
donations can be made to the Henry L. Wright Scholarship Fund being established at
Appomattox County High School for a graduating senior pursuing a career in Culinary Arts.