Shelba Small Wright, teacher, one of 'the twins'

The Small twins, Shelba and Sylvia, did everything together, to the extent that they became known simply as "the twins."

"People didn't know our names," Sylvia said. "They knew us as the twins."

After going to schools and colleges together, both became Philadelphia schoolteachers.

Shelba Small Wright, who taught at West Philadelphia High School from the early '50s to her retirement in 1988, died Sunday. She was 79 and lived in Center City.

The twins were born in Cleveland to Horace Leon Small and Bessie Badham Small. The family moved to Denton, Md., where the girls grew up.

They both received bachelor of science degrees from Morgan State University in Baltimore. They came to Philadelphia and earned master's degrees in education from Temple University. Shelba later did postgraduate work at the University of Pennsylvania.

Shelba taught biology and science at West Philadelphia High. Sylvia, who became Sylvia Small Horn, taught the same subjects at Simon Gratz High, Girls High and Lincoln High School.

Shelba married Richard R. Wright in 1965.

"She was an outgoing, popular, fun person," Sylvia said of her sister.

Shelba was an active member of the Omega Omega chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority. She also was active with Top Ladies of Distinction, the national humanitarian and professional organization, and The Links, an organization of African-American women committed to the betterment of their communities.

She was a devoted traveler, visiting every state of the Union, and making numerous trips to Europe. Often these trips were taken to attend meetings and conventions of the organizations to which she belonged.

She also enjoyed playing bridge and was an avid photographer.

Besides her sister and husband, she is survived by two stepsons, Mark and Michael Wright.

Services: 11 a.m. tomorrow at Zion Baptist Church, Broad and Venango streets. Friends may call at 9 a.m. Burial will be in West Laurel Hill Cemetery, Bala Cyn-wyd. *