Mrs. Retha Mae Locklear Burrow was born to Mrs. Eva Mae Locklear and Mr. Earnest (“Pank”) Locklear on February 8, 1941, in Robeson County, North Carolina and departed this life on Wednesday, January 28, 2026. She was the oldest of seven children, and with that came the responsibility of helping care for her younger siblings. From a young age, her family lovingly called her “Rita.” When her siblings were old enough to work in the fields, Rita joined them in harvesting cotton, tobacco, and tending to other farm duties. She also learned to cook, keep house, and sweep yards.
Mrs. Rita enjoyed school and especially loved reading. She completed one year at Pembroke State College before seeking opportunities in Detroit, Michigan, where she hoped to earn a living. In Detroit, she found employment and met her husband, James (Jim) Burrow, at Temple Baptist Church. They married in 1960 and shared 65 years of marriage. In 1961, Rita and Jim moved to California, along with his parents, due to limited job opportunities in Detroit. Believing she should work to support her family, Rita began taking classes to pursue a nursing degree. While working as a nurse, she continued her education, earning a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Redlands and a Master’s degree from Pepperdine University. To maintain balance in her life, she enjoyed bicycle riding, participating in Bible studies, and spending time with friends. Her greatest joy, however, was hosting dinners and celebrations for her family. Jim and Rita were blessed with beautiful homes and spacious yards for their children and grandchildren to play. They enjoyed several cruises together, with their favorite being a trip to Israel. Visits to North Carolina were especially meaningful, as their children Rochelle, Mark, and Garrett learned about working in tobacco, cotton, and cucumbers —and experienced that unforgettable southern cooking. Rochelle has shown unwavering determination and patience as an exceptional caregiver. Rochelle’s son Tyler lives in Arizona. Mark and his hardworking wife Tina, along with their sons Brandon and Jeremy, live in Southern California. Garrett and his three children—Noah, Jacob, and Hannah—also reside in Southern California. Rita’s lasting hope for her family is that they will always “Just Be There”.
The funeral service will be 2 p.m. Friday, February 6, 2026, at Philadelphia Baptist Church with the Revs. Lawrence Garner and Horace Oxendine officiating. Burial will follow in the Locklear Family Cemetery. The family will receive friends one hour prior to services at the church.
