Verna L. Albright

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 73 years, Elmer Rudolph Albright; her son, Elmer Lee Albright; her daughter, Gaye Albright; her parents, Jewel and C.M. (Milton) Mears; and her sister, Dorothy Ocker.

She is survived by her sister, Billie Odenbach of Marlin; her son, Milton Albright and wife Cara Sue of Marlin; her daughter, Joye and husband Carl Erskine of Hubbard; her daughter-in-law, M.J. Albright of Marlin, widow of Elmer Lee. She also leaves behind her grandchildren: Jace Albright; Sunny and husband Blake Kelly; Mendy and husband Josh Riddle; Erin and husband Steve Jones; Aimee Albright and fiancé Kristopher Vandiver; Jaimee and husband Michael Passini; and Sierra and husband Stephen Lenoir. Her legacy continues with eighteen great-grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, and friends who dearly loved her.

Verna grew up the second of three daughters, working hard alongside her family on the farm and ranch. On a weekend trip to Dallas, she met the love of her life while doing something that would remain a passion for them both—dancing. As the story goes, during their very first dance, Elmer leaned in and told her he was going to marry her. Less than a month later, on August 21, 1948, they were wed. They returned home to Central Texas, where Verna began her life as a devoted wife and mother.

Over the years, Verna also worked outside the home, eventually finding her calling in education. She taught home economics at Marlin Middle School, where she touched countless lives by teaching the skills of cooking, baking, and sewing. For generations, Marlinites would greet her with, “Mrs. Albright, you taught my whole family how to cook and bake!”—words that always brought a smile to her face.

When home economics programs began to fade, Verna embraced change and stepped into a new role, working in data entry and computerized grade calculations for Marlin I.S.D. She was one of the first in the area to handle computerized grading and continued in that position until her retirement, when she returned home to enjoy her golden years with her husband.

Her journey was not without sorrow. She and Elmer suffered the heartbreaking loss of their daughter Gaye in 1969 and later their son Elmer Lee in 2006. Even through such heartbreak, they never lost their faith in God or their deep love for one another. In June of 2022, with her health declining, Verna endured the loss of her cherished husband.

Known lovingly as “Grandmomma” and “Papaw,” Verna and Elmer filled their home with warmth, fun, and wisdom. Whether shelling peas together, teaching how to sew on a button, or simply lending a listening ear, they were steady hands and loving hearts for their family.

A close second to her love for family was her love for dancing. She and Elmer spent decades filling the dance floors of Tom Sefcik Hall, Geneva Hall, and Star Hall. Week after week, their faces and footsteps were known and loved in those dance halls, and they built lifelong friendships along the way. It is easy to picture that after being reunited with her loved ones in heaven, she too reached for Elmer’s hand, and together they took to the dance floor once again.

Though we mourn her passing, we are comforted by the vision of Verna whole and happy, dancing a polka in the arms of the love of her life.

Serving as pallbearers will be Jace Albright, Blake Kelly, Josh Riddle, Steve Jones, Michael Passini, and Stephen Lenoir. Honorary pallbearers include Larry, Keith, and Kevin Odenbach; Rubin Pringle; Kristopher Vandiver; Madison Wideman; Jimmy Mitchell; Dru and Darrell Wolf; James Rowell; and Jerry Haisler.

Funeral services will be 10:00AM, Saturday, September 13, 2025 at the First Methodist Church in Marlin. Interment will follow in Hillcrest Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM at Adams Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers the family asks for memorials in her honor to be made to:

Hillcrest Cemetery, P.O. Box 553, Marlin, Texas 76661.