Mildred (Strickland) Locklear

Mildred Pearl Elizabeth Strickland Locklear took her Heavenly flight with God’s BAND OF ANGELS, early morning of March 21, 2023 to forever dwell in the House of the Lord Jesus Christ. Passing peacefully in her sleep at home, in the company of her husband, Rev. Carson Paul Locklear Jr. (Corkey), from complications of Alzheimer’s (Dementia) and effects of two strokes. She was born January 31, 1938, thus completing an earthly journey of 85 wonderful “plenty to do” years. Mildred was nicknamed buttermilk as a young child. A name she did not like.

Mildred was preceded in death by her parents, Mr. Silas and Mrs. Brover Locklear Strickland; her biological mother, Mrs. Verlie Mae Locklear Cummings  and stepfather, Mr. Ernest Cummings; her infant daughter, Marlina Steen; her grandparents, Mr. Alexander Strickland (Poppa) and Mrs. Darkis Dial Strickland (MU); grandson, Marcus Locklear; great grandsons, Master Adrian Joelyn Martinez and Master Joe Calix Martinez; brothers, Nathene (Thene) Cummings, Donnel (Doug) Cummings, Mr. Wallace Strickland, Mr. Paul Strickland, Mr. Harry Dean Strickland and Mr. Silas Strickland Jr.; sisters, Mrs. Annie Neal Locklear, Mrs. Helen Brayboy, Mrs. Roanna Lowry, Mrs. Shelby Jane Deese and Mrs. Catherine Locklear; mother-in-law, Mrs. Fannie Belle Hunt Locklear; father-in-law, Mr. Carson Paul Locklear; mother-in-law, Mrs. Edith Steen and father-in-law, Mr. Ellard Steen.

Cherishing her memories, her husband of the home, Rev. Carson Paul Locklear Jr. (Corkey); daughters, Jessica Kaye Hunt (Jamie) of Pembroke, Robin Jacobs of Maxton, Malissa Steen of St. Pauls and Paula Kaye Locklear (Joseph-Pie) of Pembroke; one “son” whom she raised, Gordon Briston Locklear (Jessica) of Tulsa, OK; Mr. Vernon Steen of Pembroke, father of her children; brothers, Mr. Alex Strickland of Pembroke, Rev. Jimmy Strickland (Frances) of Rowland; sisters, Mrs. Diane Locklear and Mrs. Willa Wilkins of Rowland; twelve grandchildren and twenty-three great grands.

Friends, Mrs. Eloise Locklear, Mrs. Wanda McNeill, Mr. and Mrs. Isiah Hunt, Mr. Lawrence (Buddy L.) and Helen Lowery and Ms. Grace Hammonds of Lumberton, Ms. Lynneettah Hunt and London Osuna of Red Springs, and the late Mr. and Mrs. Lacy and Mable Maynor, Ms. Francis Baxley, Ms. Cattie Mae Bullard Chavis, Mr. Klyne Lowry of Pembroke, Mr. and Mrs. John H. and Joyce Locklear, Ms. Merlene Sampson and Minister Judy Ivey of Lumberton, all of whom are missed so much.

NUMEROUS relatives and friends whom she loved dearly AND SPOKE SO FONDLY OF.        

PLENTY TO DO, PLENTY TO DO. Was a fond saying of Mildred’s.  She was a workhorse indeed until sickness caught up with her.  Yet she would keep busy hands, she did not remain idle, an ole Country gal with country ways.  She just kept doing what she could, PLENTY TO DO PLENTY TO DO.  

Mildred along with her sisters Ms. Shelby Deese (Shorty) and Ms. Helen Brayboy (Mamie), those three were legends around the kitchen at cooking, baking and canning and such.  Mildred learned to cherish every moment of life growing up in a true Christian environment with Mr. Silas and Ms. Brover.

God, church and hard work farming and love was the center of the home.  She lovingly spoke of her childhood and her Moma and Daddy – Ms. Brova and Mr. Silas.  Ms. Verlie and Grandpa Poppa and Grandma Mu. Great respect for Mr. Ellard Steen.

I know that Heaven is not only brighter with a glow from Mill but food gotta be Heavenly tasty for sure with those three ladies on the job.  Mill could not eat earthly food but now she is feasting at the table with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  Well done Country Gal; Well done indeed.

Mildred was a professional seamstress who operated her own business from her home.  Dresses, skirts, gowns, pants, men’s suits, drapes, PJ’s, curtains, drapes, and bathrobes.  Made some of the finest QUILTS around.  You name it, she could make it.  After her children left home, she took two different factory jobs as lead sewing instructor.  Cooking was in her genes also, the best, just a talented person.  Hundreds of recipes were in her head; gone forever.  Those Strickland Gals knew cooking and farming.

She was a strong worker in her Husband’s Corkey’s Christians in Acts Ministry that Pastored and visited Rest/Nursing homes, Assisted living, hospitals and shut-ins at home.  Over 15 years she labored until sickness confined her mainly to home and 3 years later Carson stepped back to remain with her.  But many got saved and thousands were blessed during those 18 years, God’s Amazing Grace; and still getting saved. 

She was a blessing to many and a superstar to her husband.  Mildred is now one of the few that walked “The Way” and entered everlasting life.  Mildred did not know much Bible scripture but she lived right and just and showed the glory of God all around her.  Fruit folks is pleasing to the Lord.

Spring was her favorite season.  All the trees and flowers blooming and sweet smells in the air.  Wedding anniversary on the 19th of March, Spring on the 20th of March and her Heavenly home coming on the 21st  March 2023.  Mildred is blooming in Heaven folks.  Luke 7 and 10 says great rejoicing in over lost sinner saved – how much more when that redeemed soul gets home to Heaven.  Oh, what a day that must be.  Shout Saint Mildred.  You’re home.

Although we will miss her so very very much, she is without pain and suffering, having been made WHOLE AND WELL  by our Lord and Savior.  She is now WITH our Heavenly Father.  Corinthian’s 5:8, APOSTLE PAUL, SAYS, “We are confident and willing to say”: to be absent from the body, is to be present with the Lord.”  OUR GREAT LOSS IS HEAVEN’S GAIN.

MY BODY SLEEPS BENEATH THE STARRY SKIES

MY SOUL REST WITH LORD HEAVEN HIGH

I WALKED “THE WAY” A WHILE

I WALKED IT WITH A SMILE

She was a direct if not blunt spoken person.  You knew where you stood with her.  No heming or hawing or geeing with her; straight ahead.  But she had the biggest prettiest smile you’ve ever seen.  Buttermilk you were and are loved beyond measure.  Words cannot express the loss nor our thoughts and memories and love we hold so dearly of you.  A treasure indeed laid away in Heaven.  We’ll meet again.  God, bless you Mill.

Special appreciation to Dr. Kenneth Locklear and Dr. Herman Chavis and NP Jamie Jones of Robeson Family Practice, Red Springs, NC., for the almost 30 years they treated Mildred.  They truly extended and increased the quality of her life.  I just want to express my deepest gratitude for their concern about Mildred and the incredible treatment and care Mildred received from Robeson Family Practice and their wonderful staff.  And also, to Dr. David Allen and wife Karen of Allen Orthopedics, Lumberton NC., and their fine staff.  RN Denna Whitmey, RN Tanya Chavis and the wonderful caring CNA Melissa Billings and Case Manager Melissa Strickland of Gentivia Hospice.

Thankful to Jessica Hunt, London Osuna and Lynneettah Hunt who aided as caretakers to Mildred.  And to all who prayed, gave, called or thought about Mildred and her various extended families.  Thank you all.  May the Lord bless.

Written by her loving husband Rev. Carson Paul Locklear Jr. (Corkey)

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