Tributes

Mrs. Carol Ann Freeman Locks was born on February 23, 1950, in Pontiac, Michigan to Mr. Fred and Mrs. Dorothy Maynard Freeman She accepted Christ as her savior at St. John’s United Methodist Church in 1955. There she grew to the know the Lord and participated in youth choir, the Methodist youth fellowship, and a host of church sponsored activities. During her time in high school, she participated in multiple school and community activities that taught etiquette. She also spoke French fluently and was a phenomenal whiz in mathematics. She graduated from Pontiac Central High School in 1968. After high school, she attended Eastern Michigan University for two years. She then transferred to Oakland Community College for one year. She would later complete her undergraduate degree in Math Education at Pembroke State University (now University of North Carolina at Pembroke) in 1984. In 1971, while attending the graduation of a childhood friend at Wiley College (Now Wiley University), Mrs. Locks would reunite with the love of her life for good, in the person of Rev. Sidney A. Locks, Jr. On June 2, 1973, Rev. Sidney Locks would marry Ms. Carol Ann Freeman in a beautiful ceremony at St. John United Methodist Church, in Pontiac, Michigan. In January 1975, Rev. Sidney and Mrs. Carol would move to Lumberton, North Carolina. Rev. Locks was installed as senior pastor of Sandy Grove Missionary Baptist Church. In their stint in Lumberton, Mrs. Carol used her administrative gifts to support Baptist and Methodist churches in the Robeson County area. She would also work as a teacher’s assistant at South Lumberton Elementary School (now known as W.H. Knuckles Elementary School) and Rowland Middle School in Rowland, North Carolina. Upon receiving her degree from Pembroke State University, she became a full-time teacher at Lumberton Junior High School (LJHS). She would remain a full-time teacher for state of North Carolina for the next twenty-nine years. Also in Laurinburg, NC she would pledge and become a lifetime member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, INC. In December 1988, Mrs. Carol and family would move to Greenville, North Carolina. Rev. Sidney Locks would be ordained as the Pastor of Cornerstone Missionary Baptist Church. As the First Lady of Cornerstone, Mrs. Carol served in many ministries to include: the Board of Deaconess; advisor for Teen Voices of Victory; advisor for the CMBC YOUTH STEP TEAM; advisor for the CMBC Black History quiz bowl team; she sung faithfully in the S.A. Locks Mass choir and The Voices of Cornerstone Choir. She pursued many philanthropic endeavors to provide community support to those in need. A member of the Greenville/ Pitt County Area section of the National Council of Negro Women, INC. She served as full time teacher at A.G Cox Middle School for over twenty years. On March 15, 1995, along with her beloved husband, opened a North Carolina License Plate Agency which has served the city of Greenville and surrounding areas for twenty-eight years. She and her son James have expanded to a second location offering continued excellence to Pitt County and surrounding areas. She has been affectionately labeled a “community mom” and “favorite teacher” by many due to the indelible impact she had on the young lives she touched. There are few things we all should remember and cherish about Mrs. Carol: 1. She was the Life of the Party. 2. She loved a good line dance. 3. She was a movie aficionado. 4. She was an experienced “Card Shark.” 5. She was a friend to the friendless. 6. She was a genuine light in any room. 7. She loved her family fiercely. 8. She loved the LORD! She is preceded in death by her parents, Mr. Fred and Mrs. Dorothy Mae Freeman and the love of her life for 50 years, Rev. Sidney A. Locks, Jr. Along with many cherished family members and friends experienced throughout a life well lived. Mrs. Carol is survived by her one and only sister, Ms. Shelia Kay Freeman of Grand Rapids, MI; two sisters-in-love, Rev. Charlotte M. Locks and Mrs. Martha Levine of Opelousas, LA; her four children, Sidney “Eddie” A.E. (Tamisha), Frederick “FA-FA”, D.M. Odetta “ItaBeata” L. Brown (Steven), and James “Jamie Doobie” W.A; her six grandchildren, Cade Alexander, Sidney Gabriel, Sydney Joy; Sophya Julianna, Tyra Renee, and Aaron Jamal; three great-grands, Khelanh Devauntey, Kaliyah Marie, Ky-Lynn Unique; three nephews, Kamani Osei Freeman Jones (Samantha), Albert John Keith Baptiste (Karen), Enrick Levine, Jr (Ronderica). Mrs. Carol, who was loved by so many and loyal beyond the call of duty was a special friend and confidant to childhood and college friends. Mrs. Carol leaves to treasure her memory, several special nieces and nephews, Deana Lacy Mcquitty (Carl), Cleopatrice Lacy Robinson (Deon), Patrice Lacy Smith (Jeremy), Patrick Benjamin Willis Lacy (Jamondi); several great nephews, Darius Robinson, Derron Mcquitty, Jackson Smith; and a special great niece, Camille Mcquitty.

Tributes

Mrs. Carol Locks

February 23, 1950 - October 20, 2023