Visitation for Marie Elizabeth Straily, 77, of Livingston, Texas, will be held Wednesday, September 8, 2021 from 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. in the Cochran Funeral Home Chapel in Livingston, Texas.

Beth was born December 29, 1944 to parents, Richard E. Berry and Katie Marie Berry in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and went to be with Jesus, September 1, 2021 in Livingston, Texas. She was affectionately known as GMaw and was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother, who loved her grandchildren more life itself. She was involved in many community events, including those outside of her family. She coached the Livingston Go Getters for many years and enjoyed the time spent with them. She opened her heart and home to them and many others for Thanksgiving meals. She taught parenting classes and was a CASA advocate for children. GMaw also did missionary work in the Honduras and supported that ministry faithfully.

Beth loved to sew and quilt and was very talented and creative, she even had a room totally devoted to this hobby. She also love to travel and went to London, England, Scotland, and Cozumel, and invested in the lives of her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She took them on cruises and vacationed with them every year. She also enjoyed scuba diving, country music and dancing.

She was a secretary at DaVita Dialysis for many years and eventually retired from this job. She loved that job and was well liked by the patients that she greeted every day. She was an avid sports fan and rarely missed any baseball, football, or softball games played by the Livingston athletes. She rooted for any and all kids during those games and was known by many people during this time in her life. When she could no longer attend games, she had the app downloaded so she could still keep up the games and how good the kids were doing.

Just as footprints in the sand, Beth left her mark on many hearts that she touched. She was an awesome friend. Beth reached out to mothers of small children and when they would drive up to the church, she would help get the children to their classes - what a wonderful lady. When a child was given a part in the Christmas play, they were in her eyes, a Star! She then became a star polisher, which means she would pray for that child for 30 days. As one mother put it…she was my son's star polisher.

She loved the Lord and held Bible studies in her home throughout the years. She was the first person to tell you she loved Jesus, but knew she still had lots of things to learn and that He was still working on her. There is no doubt she would want her legacy to live on through her family and that they would share it with others. Her theme would be…Let me tell you about my Jesus.

Beth was a great example of Jesus in motion - His hands and feet. God's Word tell us to love one another and that is exactly what Beth did.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Richard E. Berry and Katie Marie Berry; stepson, Ron Straily; brother-in-law, Max Straily; and sister-in-law, Patricia Bare.

She is survived by her husband, Ricky J. Straily (GPaw); daughter, Roxanna Light and David; stepdaughter, Nicole Vigil and husband, Joshua; grandchildren, Jason Harris and wife Samatha, Elissa Harris, Bekah Jean, Evie and Caleb Vigil; great grandchildren, Brodie Smith and Hailey, Dawson Harris and Savannah, Adalyn Harris, Zoie Cochran, Trip Teel, Asa Valderez and Axel Harris; great-great grandchild, Saylor Harris; siblings, Sonny Berry and wife Cathy, Kathy and James Parker, and Cheryl and Craig Carter; sister-in-law, Donna and John Peebles; along with numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Cochran Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Please sign our online guestbook at www.cochranfh.com .