Mel Irish Cartwright

Mel Irish Cartwright, 74, of Woolwine, Virginia, passed away Wednesday, April 26, 2023, at SOVAH Health of Martinsville. He was born September 3, 1948 in Tennessee, to the late Mel Cartwright and Margie Irish Cartwright. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Manasseh Irene Cartwright.

He was an All American basketball player for the Martinsville High School Bulldogs and the Washington & Lee University Generals. After college, he coached and mentored many young Martinsville area basketball players – several of whom, like Mel, played on teams that brought state championships to Mavahi.

Mel worked many years as a planner for Pannill Knitting Company. He became a corporate planner for Vanity Fair where his job involved extensive travel – which he loved. He lived for a time in Munich, Germany, where he was a faithful participant in the annual Octoberfest and enjoyed introducing friends to the local rathskellars and beer gardens. He made frequent trips to the San Francisco Bay area where he was able to visit his lifelong friend, Joe Leach.

Mel is survived by his wife, Sherry Cartwright; sisters, Melody Ann Cartwright and Melissa Lynn Cartwright; brothers, Mark Harrell Cartwright and Michael Charles Cartwright; niece, Isabel Irish Griffin; nephew, Bailey Cartwright, step-children, Charles Hyler, Chad Hyler, Ashley Whitlow, and Chelsea Robinette; and six grandchildren and goddaughter Elizabeth Bushnell Myers. He loved his dogs, and is survived by four of his favorites: Checkers, Sissy, Cujo, and Senior Bo.

Services and a celebration of life will be at a later date.

Wright Funeral Service and Crematory is serving the family. Online condolences may be made at www.wrightfuneralservices.net.