I checked some of my references again, and it is true that immature females can have hourglass like markings when they are immature. They are not always completely formed, however, as you mention, and their abdominal patterns can vary as much as those of the males (which can have about a half dozen different patterns it looks like). Pretty much most of the species descriptions are based on the adults, since this is the most reliable stage to have all of the markings. Down here in Georgia, we mostly have the southern widow (L. mactans) and all of the adults I have seen have the shiny black dorsal abdomen. The brown widow (L. geometricus), however, is very variable on the dorsal coloration with many dots and patterns (and a yellow or orange hourglass), so the same could be for other species.

As far as I am aware, even juveniles have an hourglass mark on the underside, though it is not as contrasting as in adults. Further, mature females of L. variolus and L. mactans (maybe even other species) can retain the dorsal red stripes and/or spots into adulthood.

Yes, it was large. I'm thinking probably a L.variolus female but wasn't sure because I had seen some conflicting information on the red markings. We had quite a few small juveniles with spots in the wood pile. Thanks for the ID!