Mabel Doris Locklear, 84, of Prospect, North Carolina, passed away peacefully at her sister’s home on December 8, 2025, after a courageous battle with cancer. A deeply devoted mother, sister, aunt, and friend, Mabel’s steadfast love of family, faith, and community will be cherished by all who knew her. Born on August 16, 1941, in Prospect, Mabel was the daughter of a proud Lumbee family who instilled in her a strong sense of independence and resilience that would define her throughout her life. Those closest to Mabel knew her as a woman of great conviction strong-willed, conservative in her values, and unwavering in her commitment to doing what she believed was right. Her faith was central to everything she did. A lifelong member and supporter of Mt. Olive Church, Mabel dedicated countless hours volunteering for church activities, always offering a helping hand or a word of encouragement to others in their time of need. Mabel found her greatest joy in her family.

She will be lovingly remembered by her son, Gearonie; her sisters, Betty (Larry Sampson), Peggy (the late, Bobby Earl Hunt), Rose (Glen White), Linda B. Dial, Emma J. Brewer, and Helen Locklear; her brother, Alex (the late, Janice Lyn), Beechman and Wardell Barton Jr.

She is also preceded in death by her husband, Stanford Locklear and her son, Dean Locklear, her brothers Royal Barton, Paul Barton, and George Lloyd, her sisters Sally Bullard, Mary Graham, Doris Barton, Wendy Barton and Delores Dial, her Mother, Debra Locklear, her nephews Jeffery Autry, Bobby Len, Jason Brandon and her niece, Shana Lynn, their memories she carried close to her heart. Mabel’s memory will forever be honored for the love, strength, and generosity she shared so freely with others. Though she is no longer present in body, her spirit will remain a steady source of comfort and inspiration to those she leaves behind.