In Loving Memory of Brenda Joyce Lockett
In lieu of flowers, I would be grateful for your donation to this fund in commemoration of the life of my dear mother Brenda Joyce Lockett.
After battling with numerous health challenges for several years, Brenda has gone home.
She was caring, kind, creative, and brilliant. A devoted wife and mother, Brenda retired from Christus Saint Michael Hospital in Texarkana, Texas after 20+ years of service. She was an Aramark employee and held various occupational roles such as Dispatch Operator, Dispatch Supervisor, and Accounts Payable Manager. Her pleasant voice, calm demeanor, and wit proved an asset to the hospital because her effective coordination of its entire communication system was essential to all of its critical operations.
Before and concurrent with her employment at the hospital, she spent over twenty years being a dedicated military wife to her (ex-husband) Tyrone Repress Lockett. On base, she was a certified childcare provider and briefly continued to nurture kids at the Learning Tree Daycare in Texarkana, Texas after Tyrone’s retirement. Her oldest children have many memories of growing up in a warm, supportive household bursting with the bright energy of the neighborhood kids.
She completed some college at Prairie View A&M University. Although she never finished, she was an engaged global citizen who encouraged us to critically interpret current events, vote, and pursue a higher education. She lived in Frankfurt, Germany and several states including Kentucky, Virginia, and Texas. Brenda was a member of Good Hope Baptist Church in Camblesville, KY, Newtown Baptist and Mt. Orange Baptist Churches in Texarkana, TX, and Leary Chapel Baptist Church in Leary, TX. She loved music, singing, and being part of the choir. Her other hobbies and abilities included: cooking, sewing, painting, crocheting, gardening, and traveling.
Brenda faced numerous hardships throughout her life, and especially the last few years before her passing. Her house burned down in March 2019 and her life-threatening health issues led to an unexpected early retirement. She lost everything. In addition, the costs of her healthcare and the displacement of two of her children has left the family with tremendous need of financial support. This fund will be used to cover the costs of her cremation (this was her expressed wish on numerous occasions to myself, my sister, and some other loved ones), heirlooms that will hold some of her ashes, a post-pandemic remembrance ceremony, as well as assist her children who are struggling to manage their grieving process while also meeting basic survival needs during this economic downturn.
She is survived by three children (Zachary, Alexandria, and Florenda Lockett), three grandchildren (Cameron, Faith, and Hope Lockett), four siblings (Wanda Williams, Efran Golston, Byron Golston, and Cynthia Johnson), several nieces and nephews, and numerous, aunts, uncles, cousins, friends, and former colleagues. She will join the ancestors and her mother Florida Cornelius, father Artis Thomas Golston, grandmother Clara “Mama” Hawkins, brother Artis Thomas Golston II, best friends Mitzi Jones and Debra Baxter, among several other loved ones.
To celebrate her life, a Zoom ceremony among immediate friends and loved ones will be held on February 13, 2021. Details TBA.
Thank you for taking the time to read about my mama’s life. Any gift, even just a dollar or two, would be of great assistance to us during this difficult time. Please share this fundraiser link, to the extent that you are willing, among your networks.
With Love, Light, and Gratitude,
Alexandria LaBelle Lockett, Ph.D. (proud and eldest daughter of Ms. Brenda Joyce Lockett)
[This tribute was composed on behalf of, and/or in coordination with, her youngest daughter Florenda J. Lockett and her eldest brother Zachary A. Lockett]
Note: I’m also happy to accept funds via
CashApp: $AlexLockett1
PayPal: [email redacted]