Linda Joyce McNeil Lockhart

We gather here today to recognize a remarkable woman who never sought pomp or fame. We come together to remember how a quiet woman spoke volumes with very few words, yet we all listened. We draw near each other to acknowledge the compassion, love, and wit of a woman that somehow changed us for the better. Most of all, we tabernacle one last time to thank the Lord for seeing fit to bless us with such an individual as Linda Joyce McNeil Lockhart who truly enriched our lives. Linda, the youngest child, was born on August 30, 1950 to the late Palestine McNeil in Galveston, Texas. A brother, Spurgeon Scott, Jr. and sister Dorothy Jean Gordon, preceded her in death. Her family affectionately called her Lynn, and she would grow up in Texas City, Texas and receive a formal education through La Marque Independent School District. Following in the footsteps of many McNeil children, Linda was smart and ambitious about her studies. After graduating from Lincoln High School in 1968, she attended Texas College in Tyler, TX. She went on to study History (B.A., Texas Southern University, 1974), Sociology (M.A., Texas Southern University, 1978), Accounting (B.A., University of Houston Clear Lake, 1988), Computer Literacy and Desktop Publishing. Her talents were employed by Galveston County Juvenile Probation Department, Galveston's Youth Shelter and Achievement Place, La Marque High School, and the Houston Chapter of The Urban League. Forever passionate about the quality of life of those in her community, Linda grew up as an active member of the NAACP and Greater Bell Zion Missionary Baptist Church. It was in this very space where she served the Lord as an usher. She went on to involve herself with various community activist groups that offered hot meals and tutoring for under privileged children in Houston's Third Ward. She was drawn to help the downtrodden and educate those within her reach of the civil liberties she held dear. It cannot be said that Linda did not love her Lord and Savior. She was an avid student of God's word at every turn. In 1991 she became a member of the Texas City Seventh Day Adventist Church and became diligent in conducting Bible studies with friends and family. Linda would later become instrumental in establishing the Mainland SDA Church for the Southwest Region Conference. Linda is survived by her loving and doting husband of 36 years, Willie Lockhart, III of Lufkin, Texas who selflessly devoted his life to caring for her during her final years. To her was born only one daughter, Marquelle Chapman, who will be left to cherish every brilliant thing her mother ever taught her. She is also survived by Kirt Chapman, whom she referred to as the son she never had, two adoring grand children, Myles and Zoe, sister, Iva Nell Singleton (Roy) of Crosby, Texas, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends who will miss her dearly.