Martha Nan Lockwood

Martha graduated from Gurdon High School in 1955 and from there earned a B.S.E. degree in Home Economics from Henderson Teachers College in 1958. After teaching Foods and Clothing at Bauxite High School for two years, she ventured to Iowa State University in Ames, where she would earn a M.S. Degree in Foods and Nutrition. From Iowa State she became an Instructor of Foods and Nutrition at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York, and remained in that position for three years.

Then came marriage. Martha returned to Hot Springs to marry Jim Lockwood, whom she had known since Henderson days. They married July 31, 1965, at the Catholic Church of St. John the Baptist. Then she joined Jim in LaMarque, Texas, to teach foods and clothing in neighboring Texas City, and later LaMarque. In later years, with traditional home economics classes dropping from the curriculum, Martha transitioned to instruct childcare classes in which high school students prepared and presented lessons to pre-schoolers.

Martha left teaching in 1992 and a year later she and Jim retired to Hot Springs, where their marriage had begun. Throughout those years it was not uncommon for her former pupils via Facebook to thank her for her contribution to their lives.

Her retirement years brought many new friends who knew her for her selflessness, her wisdom, her steadiness in stressful situations, and her loyalty. These qualities were apparent during her years of service in “The Morning Circle” of “Saint John's Council of Catholic Women". Her most conspicuous role was helping to organize and serve funeral lunches. And for many years she worked with other ladies in support of the locally well-known Knights of Columbus “Up-Scale Re-Sale,” which monthly serves several local charities. Bedding and linens were her forte. She, when asked, also helped serve meals at Jackson House to those in need. Her husband, children, and grandchildren know well that Martha was the glue that bound them together.

Martha is predeceased by her parents Charlie and Duena Gates McMillan, brother William McMillan and sisters Charlene McMillan, Wilma Holdford, and Anna Burroughs, son-in-law Joe Halm, and granddaughter Ellie Halm. She is survived by her husband Jim, son Blake (Alecia), daughter Joey Halm, and sons Jason (Traci) and Mitchell (Kerri). Martha is further survived by grandchildren Jessie Lockwood Hughes, Abby Halm, Jay Lockwood, Jamie Lockwood, Andrew Lockwood, Christine Lockwood, Haven Lockwood, Peter Lockwood, Mac Halm, Frances Lockwood, Gus Lockwood, Tyler Lockwood, Emma Lockwood, Leo Lockwood, Helen Lockwood, Bonnie Lockwood, and great-granddaughter Minnie Hughes.

Recitation of the Rosary, led by friend Elsie L. Campbell, will be Thursday, 01/23/2025, at 4:30pm, at St. John’s Church.

The funeral Mass will begin at 1pm on Friday, 01/24/2025 at St. John’s with Father George Sanders celebrating and Deacon Robert Wanless assisting. A reception will immediately follow at the Parish Hall of St. Mary’s Church, 100 Central Avenue.

In lieu of flowers, memorial tributes may be made to the building fund for St. John's Parish Life Center, which Martha longed to see completed. Checks should be made to Building Fund, St. John's Church, and mailed to 589 W. Grant Ave, Hot Springs, 71901.

Alternately, donations may go to support Jackson House, which serves people in need: Jackson House, 705 Malvern Ave, Hot Springs, 71901.