Josette Miriam Locklar

Josette Miriam Locklar, 74, a dedicated follower of Christ, went to be with God at 11:55 in the evening of April 7, 2013, which was Divine Mercy Sunday, as well as her late husband, Tex’s birthday. Josette would be the first to say she had led a full life, and those who knew her best would agree. She was born on June 20, 1938 to Joseph and Juliette Jacob, both now deceased. Her only sibling was her brother, Joe Jacob, who, later in life, introduced her to the majesty of Alaska. She loved it so much that she bought a cabin there, sight-unseen. She was born and raised in New Orleans, a city she loved all her life, and graduated from Alice Fortier Senior High School in 1956. During her college years, she met the love of her life, Tex Locklar, now deceased, on a blind date and married him on February 1, 1959. They were married 52 years before Tex died. They had three extraordinary children together, Kathleen Deaton (married to Mike Deaton), Eric Locklar (married to Maria Lockar) and Jacob Locklar (married to Crystal Locklar). She was very proud of all of her children and often said that the English language had cheapened the word “love” and that the word was inadequate to express the depth of feelings for her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was blessed in her lifetime to have seven grandchildren: Michelle Deaton, Sean Deaton, Hernando Locklar, Nicole Locklar, Sara Locklar, Juliette Locklar and Abigail Locklar and two great-grandchildren: Riley Deaton and Ryder Gibson. In addition to raising a family, Josette was a successful small business owner of Josette’s Inc. for 41 years and counting and she served her community in a number of ways. In the 1970’s, she was the President of the Singing River Hospital Auxiliary. She was a member of the National Costumers Association from 1972 until present and served first as a board member and then as President. She hosted an area meeting, won the Major Harrelson Award for her efforts for the NCA and won several awards for costumes she showcased at conventions. She served on the Parish Council at St. Elizabeth Seton Catholic Church and served the community at large with her various donations and rides to strangers. Josette’s greatest joy came from her faith. She had Christ’s name on her lips until the day she died and described death as being Disney World for old people to her grandchildren. She could not wait to be with God. She forgave everyone and asked that everyone forgive her. Although she accepted her breast cancer as her ticket out of this world, she often told her cancer cells, “When I die, so do you!” It was Josette’s wish that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Sacred Heart Dedeaux Building Fund, 14595 Vidalia Rd. Pass Christian, MS 39571, the Sallie Astor Burdine Breast Foundation, 17050 Medical Center Dr. Baton Rouge, LA 70816, or give directly to someone in need. The funeral arrangements are being coordinated through Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home and both Nativity B.V.M. Cathedral and Sacred Heart Dedeaux Catholic Church, both of which she called home. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Nativity B.V.M. Cathedral on Wednesday, April 10, 2013 at 11:00 a.m. The visitation will be from 9:30 a.m. until mass time, with the Rosary and Divine Mercy beginning at 10:30 a.m. There will be a reception following the mass.