MS. PATSY ANN SAMPSON LOCKLEAR

On Thursday, March 14th, a beautiful spring-like morning with birds a chirping, Patsy Ann Sampson Locklear passed up into the heavens after many weeks of declining health. During that time, she had waves of family and friends to soothe and hum melodies along with her, which was the primary form of communication at that late stage of life. The music never left her.

Patsy was peaceful throughout it all and is now finally free of dementia, which she was stricken with but never a source of defeat. She lived an extremely vibrant life with husband of 55 years Jackie Ray (Jack), who passed on just three years ago and children Candy, Jon and Quint who survive her. She was best known for her warm, upbeat, and comforting attitude, and was always happy being in the middle of any social situation, gracious toward anyone she came across.  In 1966, she graduated with a Bachelor of Science from the University of North Carolina at Pembroke and soon after fell in love with Navy officer Jack Locklear, also from Pembroke. Like her mother, Patsy began her career as a school teacher in Charlotte where Jack found his first job, and moved to Concord as the family grew. After many years of mothering three children full time, she took a job with the Employment Security Commission in Concord, and later she could be found at the Cabarrus County Register of Deeds, a position she was destined to have and enjoyed for many years.

On top of that, she made time to sit on community boards, chaperone school trips, and participate in the Boys Club, Girl Scouts, and her much loved Dogwood Garden Club to mention just a few. Since arriving in Concord, the Locklear family has always been deeply involved with Forest Hill United Methodist Church, so Patsy could be found teaching Sunday school, but what she really enjoyed was singing in the choir and playing the hand bells for more than 30 years. Recently, Quinton, who has managed so much of the caretaking of both parents these last number of years, made sure to get Patsy out of Taylor Glen so she could go to church and listen to the sermon and all the singing, which brought her great happiness to be able to hum along to words she knew so well. Patsy had a real love for her community, as she helped form the Samaritan House Soup Kitchen, and later could be found brightening many people’s day serving Friday hot dogs from the Forest Hill church basement. She was a constant volunteer, actively involved with Meals on Wheels, 2nd Blessing Clothing Closet, Habitat for Humanity, and the Night Shelter in Concord. How mother accomplished this we will never know. She was the strongest of our family by a long shot.

But most of all, she was a loving and loyal wife to Jack and proud mother to three very active and engaged children who kept the house buzzing with friends coming around, and always with a smile and something delicious in the kitchen to offer.

Funeral services for Pat will take place next Friday March 22nd beginning at noon at Forest Hill UMC in Concord. The following day Saturday, March 23rd, there will be a service at her childhood church, Berea Baptist in Pembroke NC. Visitation at 12 and funeral at 1 p.m.  She will be laid to rest next to her husband sharing a space, together again at Lumbee Memorial Gardens. Her strife is over, her victory is won, she is home singing in paradise.

Patsy is celebrated and survived by her immediate family including daughter Candy and granddaughter Clara, son Jon and wife Beth and their daughters Sarah Kate and Caroline and son Quint with his special friends Tara and Tanner Bengle.  Her beloved siblings the twins, sister Alice Oxendine (Edward) and brother Bobby Sampson (Andella), sister Cynthia (Tim) Locklear; brothers Elarce “Butch” Oxendine and Mitchell Oxendine and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends that made her smile light up the room for many years. She is preceded in death by her sister Connie Oxendine and her parents Bernice and Phoenecia Sampson.

The family would like to express their sincere gratitude and love to all the staff, especially the CNA’s, at the Gardens of Taylor Glenn who doted and cared for mother as if she was one of their own. We can never repay you and we will never forget.