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Gwendolyn "Gwen" Kay Winecoff Light, known affectionately as "Memaw" to her beloved grandchildren, passed away peacefully on June 11, 2026, in Raleigh, North Carolina, at the age of 86. She was born on October 30, 1939, in Iredell County, youngest child of the late William Hampton Winecoff and Maggie Mae Wilhelm Winecoff. In addition to her parents, Gwen was preceded in death by her husband, Donald E. Light, and all her siblings: William "Bill" H. Winecoff, Jr.; Thelma "Sis" B. Winecoff Brown; Edward "Ed" S. Winecoff; James "Jim" A. Winecoff; Peggy "Peg" V. Winecoff Garwood; and Phyllis A. Winecoff Nantz. Gwen is survived by her daughter, Kaye Light Orander (son-in-law, Rob); her son, Martin A. Light (daughter-in-law, Amy); along with her dearly cherished granddaughter, Siena E. Light, and grandson, William E. Light. Also surviving are many much-loved nieces and nephews, along with their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Gwen started school at Shepherd's Elementary, then continued her education through graduation from Mt. Ulla High School. Her first job was at the "Dime Store" in downtown Mooresville and later at the "Shirt Mill." She settled in Mooresville after marrying Don and they began having children. While raising her family, Gwen was employed for 33 years at Draymore Mfg. Co., starting out as a seamstress on "the drapery side" of the textile mill, then working her way up to Payroll Clerk where she spent most of her years with the company. After the Draymore Mill closed, and being widowed at a fairly young age, Gwen continued to support herself, holding positions with various companies around Mooresville, including Belk's, until she retired. While working in the stockroom at Belk's was hard labor, Gwen enjoyed being one of the first to see new merchandise when it arrived because there was nothing she loved to do more than retail shopping with family and friends! Before he passed away, Gwen's long-time companion during those retirement years, Ray "Chuck" Current, could often be seen sitting on a bench outside one of the local shops waiting for her to re-emerge. Gwen grew up attending Vanderburg Methodist Church and, as an adult, was a long-time member of the Mooresville Church of Christ. She was welcomed into the North Raleigh Church of Christ congregation too when she moved to Raleigh to be near her kids and grandkids. Her family expresses appreciation for all their support, especially during these last few years of Gwen's illness, to remain ever faithful and grateful in the dark hours of her journey. Gwen lived almost her entire life in and around Mooresville - 54 years in the same family home - when she made that tough, but brave, decision to go and live in Raleigh. Gwen was not an adventure-seeker. So, at the time, it was very difficult leaving behind everything familiar, as well as her remaining family, classmates, co-workers, and other friends. If you asked her, nothing anywhere else ever compared to Laney's flounder, Centenary Church barbeque, a What-A-Burger, or DeLuxe ice cream! Even though several of those treasures no longer even exist as part of Mooresville's current landscape, to Gwen, the memories always represented her hometown. Now, Gwen's earthly self is comfortingly returning to familiar home ground while her Spirit soars to her eternal home and waiting loved ones. She will be missed by those of us left behind, for now, but her legacy will live on as we remember and share her stories and lessons learned. A Memorial / Celebration of Life Service will be held in Mooresville, NC on Saturday, June 20, 2026, at 10:00am at Cavin-Cook Funeral Home, with a graveside service to follow in Glenwood Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, her family requests that donations in memory of Gwen be made to: Transitions Life Care (formerly Hospice of Wake County); Mooresville Church of Christ; or North Raleigh Church of Christ. Cavin-Cook Funeral Home and Crematory, Mooresville, is serving the Light family. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.cavin-cook.com.

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Gwendolyn "Gwen" Kay Winecoff Light

October 30, 1939 - June 11, 2026