Please join us in celebrating the life of an Austin original, Emre Lola Wright Edwards. Strong-willed and determined from conception, she was born November 25, 1955, almost a month late. Her parents, Weldon Terry and Jayne Atkison Wright brought her home to a small bungalow on West Lynn Street. A sixth-generation Texan on both sides of her family, she relished her place amongst the uniquely moral and gritty company of characters that Texas is so rich in. From the native people of these lands to settlers and Baptist missionaries, to outlaws and tellers of tall tales-all of whom she descended from- she knew the true wealth of this state has always been its people.

A quiet child who was late in speaking (at the age of four), Emre turned a corner and spent the rest of her life in a long and passionate love affair with the spoken and written word.

Emre tragically lost her brother, Terry, when she was eight. She was the elder of the two, but always felt that he was the braver, and his death left a profound mark on her psyche. She suffered from phobias after that loss but also learned fearlessness when speaking out on behalf of someone else.

In school, she was confident, bright, and accomplished. Popular with her classmates, she made friends easily because she was welcoming and kind and she treated everyone the same. She was often found dating the cutest guy in the class because she saw no reason why she shouldn't. Emre had just enough of the rebel in her make up to have fun and just enough evil genius to not get caught.

Her passion for the human story and her belief that the disenfranchised deserved a voice, saw Emre graduating from St. Stephens Episcopal in 1973 with a strong interest in journalism and law. At the University of Texas, she eagerly worked on the staff of the Cactus. During these years she ran a small restaurant just off Congress Avenue that never really turned a profit but kept her and her friends from starvation while offering a place to hang out and discuss the ideas of the day. Her friends from this time were idealists and visionaries. Many went on to become lawyers and journalists themselves. They describe her as laughing, fun, positive, and upbeat. They also saw her as outspoken, opinionated, and gritty.

Restless at university, she gave working a shot. She did well on the civil service exam and began her 40+ year United States Postal Service (USPS) career as a carrier in Luling, Texas. Her heart never left Austin, and she quickly found her way back, still carrying the mail. Inspired by a desire to put right the injustices and inequalities she saw around her, she wholehearted involved herself with the National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC). Emre served in every capacity she could. Highlights include steward, arbitration advocate, Dispute Resolution Team representative, Texas State Association of Letter Carriers officer, and Branch 181 officer. She held many of these roles concurrently and served multiple terms as the local branch president.

Emre thrived in every position NALC had to offer her. Her passion for defending city letter carriers and her commitment to the NALC never wavered. Her achievements were the result of long, grueling hours away from her family, but she was fiercely proud of her accomplishments. Knowledge gained from years of trainings and service, she reinvested in future NALC leaders as a regular instructor at NALC Regional schools. Emre poured her heart into every position she held. And she forged bonds with people that remained with her always. Forced into an early retirement, she always expressed hopes of her health improving enough for her to return to her work. She remained a NALC member until her death.

Throughout her life, Emre loved adventure. Whether it was a work conference, travel with her husband, Winston, or summer trips with her daughter, she was endlessly diverted by the opportunity to experience new places and their people. She particularly treasured the adventures she shared with her daughter, and those trips defined some of the most beautiful parts of their relationship.

She died Sunday, June 19, 2022, from complications of Multiple Sclerosis.

Emre leaves behind her husband of 34 years, Winston Edwards. Farce was always just around the corner in Emre's life, so it should surprise no one that she mistakenly called him Frank for the first four years of their marriage. He let her. She treasured her daughter, Alana Torrez, her seven stepchildren, two surviving siblings (adopted after the death of her younger brother), numerous nieces, nephews, and a grandnephew and niece. All of us know and love her for the complex, character rich human being she was.

Her friends, and there are many, were treasured like hard-won trophies. You never stopped being bright, meaningful, and valuable to her. Even if you hadn't had contact with her for a while, you were still with her. Remembering the times she shared with you always made her happy.

Services for Emre will be held at Harrell Funeral Home on Monday, June 27, 2022 at 9 a.m. All those who loved her are invited to attend. The rest of you can stay home and be sad.