Lynda Gail Light Coates was born in Taylor, Texas on June 11, 1952, to Audria ''Marie'' Starnes Light Wernecke and Edgar ''Lawrence'' Light.

She passed away in San Antonio, Texas on January 9, 2024.

Lynda was raised in Thrall, Texas, living next door to her aunt and cousins and down the street from her beloved grandparents. She spent most of her 71 years in Medina, Texas, with short periods in San Marcos, Austin, and Uvalde, Texas.

She attended Thrall High School, where she graduated Salutatorian of her class, was a twirler, was elected FFA Sweetheart, and won the silver medal in the State UIL Competition in Poetry Interpretation.

Lynda met her husband Pollard Hickman Coates IV ''Fourth'' while attending Southwest Texas State University (now Texas State University). She was known as ''Lightbulb'' during college and was an officer on the Strutters dance team, a Bobkitten twirler, elected to the Student Senate, and was voted a Gallardian. After completing her Master's Degree in English, she married Fourth on December 27, 1975, in the Taylor United Methodist Church.
Lynda began her teaching career at Cook Elementary in Austin, Texas, then moved to Uvalde, Texas for a short time before accepting a position at Medina I.S.D., where she taught every grade from kindergarten through 12th grade. Her love was teaching junior high English and serving as the U.I.L. Coordinator, coaching various events, particularly speaking events, and taking many students to the State Competition. In 2005 Lynda was selected as a U.I.L. Excellence Award Winner for being one of the top U.I.L. sponsors in the State of Texas. However, Lynda considered her greatest accomplishment her family, raising her daughter and son, and spending time with her grandchildren, who affectionately called her ''Doey''.

Lynda's faith in the Lord was unwavering. This was reflected not only in her teaching, raising her children, and her service to the church, but also during her numerous health battles. She never passed an opportunity to speak to someone about her faith and led many people to the Lord through her life story. She was loved by all who met her and will be dearly missed.

Lynda was predeceased by her parents, Audria ''Marie'' Starnes Light Wernecke and Edgar ''Lawrence'' Light; her grandparents, Tommy and Nell Starnes; and her beloved aunt, Margaret ''Sister'' Starnes Olson and uncle, Tommy Starnes, Jr.

Lynda is survived by her husband of 48 years, Pollard Hickman Coates IV ''Fourth'' of Medina, Texas; her daughter, Suzanne Coates Taylor (Keith); her son, Pollard Hickman Coates V ''Cinco'' (Ashlea); her sister, Denise Light Rizzotto (Sammy) of Liberty Hill, Texas; sister-in-law, Debra Coates Walker (Steve); and step-sister, Diana Stolle of Georgetown, Texas. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Keith Allen Taylor III ''Tripp'', Leon ''Duval'' Taylor, Pollard Hickman Coates VI ''Six'', and Eden Lynn Coates.

In addition, she is survived by nephew and Godson, Sean Sladek; nephew, Ryan Sladek (Carly); nephew, Tobin Walker; and nieces, Avery Sladek and Sarah Chappell (Stephen). Lynda is survived by many other loving family members, including special cousins, Linnea Olson Smith, Kent Olson, David Smith, Renee Fawcett Dunbar, and Dawn Smith Herbert.

Pallbearers are Sean Sladek, Ryan Sladek, David Smith, Scott MacNaughton, Ryan Doyle, Fred Sides, Randy Shanahan, Dan Hatfield, and Tim Ward.

The funeral will be at 1 pm, Saturday, January 27, 2024, at the Medina Community Church (formerly the Medina United Methodist Church) in Medina, Texas. Burial will immediately follow at Oak Rest Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Medina Community Church, the Thrall United Methodist Church, the Medina Parent Teacher Organization, or the Flatwater Foundation.

Florist for Funeral: Katie's Design & The Art of Floristry (830) 200-6134, 415 W. Goodwin, Pleasanton, Texas.

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