Preston Lockhart Sr., 71

Preston Lockhart Sr. was born on July 21, 1950, in Simpson County Mississippi to the late Dorsey and Genora Lockhart. He was one of thirteen children born to this union. Preston made the transition to his heavenly home on January 13, 2022, at Ascension Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola, Florida. Preston was preceded in death by his wife of 31 years, Barbara Joyce Wolfe Lock- hart, and one son, Preston Lockhart Jr. He was also preceded in death by three brothers, Walter L. Lockhart, Oscar Lockhart, and Clefston Lockhart.

Preston joined and attended St. Peter Missionary Baptist Church at an early age. Later, he joined the Friendship M.B. Church. Preston joined the armed forces in 1967 where he was assigned to the United States Army. He was a veteran of the Vietnam War while serving his country. He served faithfully un- til he was released with an honorable discharge in1973.
Preston’s experience in the U.S. Army played a vital role in his life. After the war, he returned and married Barbara Joyce Wolfe on March 21, 1970. To this union, there were seven children. He moved his family to Gulfport, MS,where he worked as a welder with Ingalls Shipyard. He also spent time work- ing as a landscaper. Preston was a loving father, as well as a loyal and brave solider.

He is survived by daughters Peggy (Jeffrey) Johnson of Ames, IA; Paula (Earl) Flowers, Barbara (Freddie) McNair, Lupe Chatman of Collins, MS; Aretha (Grady) Berry of Mendenhall, MS; Yolanda (Reginald) Watts of Mt. Olive, MS, and Lynn Graves of Hattiesburg, MS; a son Ricky (Tiffany) Wolfe of Atlanta, Georgia, a mother-n-law Genetter Gibson, Sister-n-laws Jacqueline Holloway and Erma Lee Lockhart, 25 grandchildren, 20 great grandchildren, two sisters: Doris Buckley and Helen Lockhart; seven brothers: James (Doris) Lock- hart or Brandon, MS, Thomas Lockhart of Mendenhall, MS, Donald Lockhart of Mendenhall, MS, Jerry (Fay) Durr of Mendenhall, MS, Gray (Sue) Durr of Ocean Park, MA, Roy Durr of Hattiesburg, MS, and Troy (Susanne) Durr of Mendenhall, MS. three special friends Larry McLaurin, Ardell Pete Magee and Gladys Keys and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.

“For if we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. So then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord’s.