MS. CYNTHIA DARLENE JACOBS

Ms. Cynthia Darlene Jacobs,72, of 504 Normal Street, Pembroke, NC entered her heavenly home on Wednesday, November 5, 2024. She was born October 29, 1952 to Reverend Steve Locklear and Mrs. Gertrude Oxendine Locklear. Ms. Darlene was preceded in death by her husband: Mr. Clinton Jacobs, parents, brothers: Mr. Rudy Locklear, Mr. Lanny Steven “Stevie” Locklear and Mr. Ernest Jedrick “Jed” Locklear.

The funeral will be 3 p.m. Sunday, November 10, 2024 at Pembroke First United Methodist Church with Revs. Mattheue Locklear, Dr. Samuel Wynn and Terry Hunt officiating.  Burial will follow in the Lumbee Memorial Gardens.

She is survived by a son: Dr. Clinton Drake Jacobs (Cassandra); brother: Mr. Jeffery Locklear(Connie) of Lexington; grandchildren: Tyler Jacobs, Julia Jacobs, Sarah Grace Jacobs of Columbia, SC.

Ms. Darlene graduated from Pembroke High School, Pembroke State College, and the University of Oklahoma, where she earned a Master of Social Work. Her professional career began with the United States Department of Agriculture, eventually transitioning to the North Carolina Commission of Indian Affairs. Darlene worked for the government in Raleigh for 17 years. She made history as the first woman to serve as the Tribal Administrator for the Lumbee Tribe. Following this role, she felt called by God to become the Executive Director of the Southeastern Jurisdictional Agency for Native American Ministries. Returning to Robeson County, she took on the role of Director of the Robeson Church and Community Center. Most recently, she served as Assistant Program Director for the Native American Cooperative Ministry, NCCUMC.

Ms. Darlene was an extremely social person who loved people and believed in the power of community. Wherever she went, she created a sense of unity. During her work at the NC Indian Commission, she played an instrumental role in developing the American Indian License Plate for North Carolina. She was especially gifted at creating altars to Jesus for conferences with clergy and lay leaders. Jesus was central to her life, and she was firmly committed to the Methodist Church. During her time at the church and community center, she led the community through the storms of Matthew and Florence, rebuilding countless lives and homes. Darlene was a Christian, a force of change, and a constant barrier breaker.

The family will receive friends from 2-3 p.m. Sunday, November 10, 2024 at Pembroke First United Methodist Church.