Obituary for Louise Locke

Louise Locke

January 22, 1927 – July 9, 2021

Louise Locke, long time resident of Ponca City, Oklahoma, passed away July 9, 2021, she was 94.

Louise was born on January 22, 1927 to Robert E. Gibson and Essie Shelton Gibson in Water Valley, Mississippi. She graduated from Water Valley High School in May of 1944. She moved from Water Valley upon graduation to Memphis, TN where she lived for many years.

Louise married Billy V. Locke on November 21, 1956 at Trinity Baptist Church in Memphis, TN. They raised their son, James Ronald Locke, together. Throughout Bill’s 40 year career with Conoco, they lived in 13 locations, returning to some cities for a second time.

Bill and Louise moved from Huntington Beach, CA to Ponca City in 1977. They were members of First Baptist Church of Ponca City. For many years they served together as Outreach Leaders in the Disciples Sunday School Class. Louise expressed her faith in the Lord Jesus and valued her church family.

Bill and Louise were lifetime members of the Oklahoma State University Alumni Association and jointly received an Alumni Special Service Award in 2001. They were members of the Presidents Club and the Iba-Fenimore Society. Louise assisted Bill in organizing and conducting the annual Cowboy Caravan in Ponca City for the Posse Club for many years. They enjoyed attending OSU basketball and football games in Stillwater as well as traveling to support the Cowboys in bowl games and conference tournaments.

In their retirement years, Bill and Louise enjoyed traveling, gardening and being “Mamma” and “Papa” to their grandsons until Bill’s death on September 14, 2005. Following the death of her son in 2012, Louise moved to Foxwood Springs retirement community in Raymore, MO in June 2014 to be near her great-grandchildren. She will forever be remembered fondly as “Mamma.”

She is survived by two grandsons, Billy Locke of Broken Arrow, OK and Justin Locke and his wife Mandy of Belton, MO; daughter-in-law Glenda Locke of Broken Arrow, OK; and four great-grandchildren Jude, Josiah, Eliana Louise and Emery.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her sister Lorine Rice, her husband of 49 years Billy V. Locke and her son James Ronald Locke.

Memorial Contributions may be made to First Baptist Church of Ponca City.

Friends and family can view Friday, July 16, 2021 from 10 am – 11 am at Trout Funeral Home. Graveside Ceremony will be 11:30 am Friday, July 16, 2021 at Resthaven Memorial Park. Arrangements are under the direction of Trout Funeral Home & Crematory, 505 W Grand Ave, Ponca City, OK 74601.

Source: Trout Funeral Home