Anita Gilmer Lockhart

Anita Gilmer Lockhart was born on August 2, 1946, in Fayette , Alabama , the youngest child of Jude and Gladys Gilmer. She passed away on June 3, 2016, at Ochsner Medical Center in New Orleans , Louisiana , after complications from heart surgery.

Mrs. Lockhart was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and sister. She is survived by her husband, Frank D. Lockhart; her son, David Lockhart (Lisa); her grandsons, Andrew and Austin Lockhart; her sister, Sara Judith Luchsinger (Phillip); brothers John Gilmer (Clara) and Don Gilmer (Melinda); and several nieces and nephews.

She was a graduate of Caledonia High School and was a proud member of the Caledonia Girls’ Basketball State Championship team. She attended Mississippi College for Women and graduated from Mississippi State University where she received a Bachelor of Science and Master of Education degrees. She was an elementary teacher for over thirty-two years, teaching in Birmingham , Alabama ; Metairie , Louisiana ; and Caledonia Elementary School where she spent most of her teaching career and was a much loved teacher. She more recently served for ten years as the Director of the Anderson Grove Head Start School.

Mrs. Lockhart was a member of the Baptist faith and had been a member of New Salem Baptist Church and was currently a member of East End Baptist Church . She served as the pianist and/or organist for both churches. She enjoyed working with children and youth, and served as the director of children and youth musicals, plays and choruses at both churches. She organized a youth mission trip to Venezuela while a member of New Salem Baptist Church . She assisted with the Sunshine Singers at East End Baptist Church . She was blessed with a musical talent, and she used that talent to glorify God.

Mrs. Lockhart enjoyed traveling and experiencing new cultures. She was an avid Mississippi State Bulldog, and enjoyed attending Mississippi State basketball and football games. More importantly, she loved her family and they loved her back.

Services for Mrs. Lockhart are at 11 a.m. Monday at East End Baptist Church with Bill Duncan officiating. Burial will follow at Shiloh Cemetery in Vernon , Alabama . Arrangements are entrusted to Memorial Funeral Home.

Pallbearers for Mrs. Lockhart are Glenn Gilmer, Johnny Gilmer, Michael Luchsinger, Paul Lockhart, Phil Bennett, Stan Bates, Michael Putt and Michael Bly.