Mary Lorelle Light

Mary Lorelle Light, age 101, passed away peacefully on December 20, 2025. She was born on December 9, 1924, in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, to Caswell Miles Stockard and Ebba Fredrika Stockard.

Lorelle was preceded in death by her parents; her beloved husband, Adrian Light; her brother, Caswell Stockard; and her sister, Alice Anderson.

She is survived by her daughter, Mary Jane Smith, and her partner, Calvin Dickerson; her grandchildren, Russell Smith and wife Maria, and Christopher Smith and wife Candi; her great-grandchildren, Nicholas, Justin, Zach, Zoe, Byron, and Matthew; and her great-great-grandson, Jasper.

Lorelle graduated from Rippon High School in California and went on to earn her associate degree from Stockton Junior College before attending the University of the Pacific where she was a member of Alpha Gamma Sigma. She married Adrian Light on September 14, 1947. She began her work as a kindergarten teacher until they adopted their daughter. She and Adrian then decided to open a stable to train and show Tennessee Walking Horses. They then moved from California to Tennessee and onto Alabama to grow their business. Eventually she returned to California where she worked laying out the daily Stockton Record newspaper and retired in 1978 to move to Denison, Tx.

Her life was one of service, faith, and joy. She was once honored with the Woman of Achievement Award by Grayson County Extension Homemakers Clubs' Council. She was a member of the Colbert, Ok Historical Society, and Order of Eastern Star #352. She was involved in community, church, and politics.

She played cello, ukulele, dulcimer, and her treasured century old pump organ. She enjoyed singing in the choir wherever she worshipped. Lorelle also found great joy in demonstrating the art of weaving.

Above all, Lorelle loved people. Known for her warm spirit and welcoming heart, she would often sit at the entrance of her apartment simply to meet new people. She never met a stranger and was truly a friend to everyone she encountered.

Mary Lorelle Light will be remembered for her kindness, humor, love of music and learning, and the genuine compassion she shared so freely with the world.

In loving memory