Audria “Marie” Starnes Light Wernecke was born Aug. 27, 1932, in Taylor to Nell Mae Smith Starnes and Tommy Edward Starnes. She passed away Dec. 17, 2022, in Round Rock.
Marie lived in Thrall the majority of her 90 years, only moving to Fort Worth, San Marcus, Cherokee and Palacios for short periods of time.
She graduated from Thrall High School in 1949. She attended Southwest Texas State, where she met the love of her life, Edgar “Lawrence” Light. She then worked many years for the Thrall Independent School District.
Marie was a charter member of the Thrall Volunteer Fire Department auxiliary serving in various capacities until her death. For the past 38 years, she served on the Thrall Homecoming Committee organizing class reunions.
Marie’s unwavering faith in the Lord was reflected by her love and devotion to the Thrall United Methodist Church, which she belonged since birth.
She served in many roles within the church and the conference. She and her sister, Margaret “Sister” Nell Olson were instrumental in the creation of the Methodist Fellowship Hall. One of her great joys was organizing the annual Church Christmas program. Marie married Edgar “Lawrence” Light June 21, 1951, in the Thrall United Methodist Church. Lawrence predeceased Marie Feb. 16, 1978. She later married Carl Wernecke in 1981, who predeceased her Feb. 26, 1996.
Marie was also predeceased by her parents, Tommy and Nell Starnes; siblings, Bob Wilson Starnes, Jesse George Starnes, Tommy Starnes, Jr., and Margaret “Sister” (Starnes) Olson; and beloved aunts and uncles, including Robert Wilson “Doc” Smith.
Marie is survived by daughters, Lynda Light Coates (Fourth) of Medina, Denise Rizzotto (Sammy) of Liberty Hill, and Diana Stolle of Georgetown.
She is also survived by her grandchildren, Sean Sladek, Ryan Sladek (Carly), Suzanne Coates Taylor (Keith), Cinco Coates, Melissa Stolle, Travis Stolle, and Sammy Carl Rizzotto.
She is survived by great-grandchildren, Avery Sladek, Tripp Taylor, Duval Taylor, Six Coates, Olivia Kessler, Grayson Kesler, Jeremy Rizzotto, and Lucas Rizzotto. She is survived by great-great grandchildren, Parker and Tatum Rizzotto.
Marie is survived by many other loving family members, including nephew, Kent Olson; niece, Linnea Olson Smith; and special cousins, David Smith and Renee Fawcett Dunbar.
Pallbearers are Sean Sladek, Ryan Sladek, Cinco Coates, Jack Jordan, Don Bunner, Donald Pick, Gary Urbanek and Alan Ray David. Honorary pallbearers are the Thrall Volunteer Fire Department.
Visitation was held Dec. 21, from noon to 2 p.m., and the funeral was at 2 p.m. at Condra Funeral Home in Taylor. Burial immediately followed.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Thrall United Methodist Church or the Thrall Volunteer Fire Department.
