Muriel Rose Locklear

Muriel Rose "Ricketts" Locklear slipped away peacefully on April 16, 2021 at the age of 95. Muriel was born on January 15, 1926 in Albion, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. She was the daughter of Jesse Rose Ricketts and Ivy Myrtle " Keech" Ricketts. Muriel is survived by her sister Dorothy Conroy in Brisbane, Australia, and proceeded in death by her sister Mabel Hammond and her brothers Herbert Ricketts, George Ricketts, Ronald Ricketts and Thomas Ricketts.

Muriel met her husband Ernest "Ernie" B. Locklear, a third generation Sarasota native, during World War II. Ernie was in the United States Navy and his ship the YP279 was docked in Brisbane. Muriel's girlfriend Gloria Hollywood met Ernie earlier at a dance. Later that evening she introduced Muriel to Ernie, that was in June of 1943.

Ernie's ship left Brisbane on September 1943, but the ship got hit and sunk in the cold Pacific ocean near the Coral Sea. A British ship picked up Ernie and the other survivors after they had floated in the ocean for twelve and a half hours. After picking them up they were taken to Brisbane where Ernie remained until the war was over. Ernie continued dating Muriel. They fell in love and were married.

On September 1, 1944 in Brisbane, Australia their first child was born. They named him Ernest Ronald Locklear. In 1946, WWII had come to an end. Ernie, along with all of the other Sailors were being shipped back to the United States.

Ron was nearly two and Muriel was seven months pregnant with their 2nd child, when they boarded the ship U.S.S Monterey on July 4, Independence Day. This ship was full of War Brides and their children headed to San Francisco to be united with their husbands.

After arriving in San Francisco, Muriel and Ron boarded a train headed to Sarasota, Florida. It took five days of continuous traveling on the train before arriving at the trains last stop which was Sarasota. After arriving in Sarasota, their 2nd child was born, a girl named Carolyn Rose Locklear. Eleven years later they had another son and they named him Steven Henry Locklear.

Sarasota was a very small town in 1946 and it took Muriel a while to get used to it, as Brisbane was a very large city. Ernie sent Muriel and their children back to Australia many times to visit her family and Muriel's family also came to Sarasota and visited her.

Ernie and Muriel celebrated their 50th Anniversary with Muriel's family. They were married 55 years before Ernie passed away in 1999.

Muriel was a member of the First Baptist Church on Main Street. She began attending church there in 1946. She helped with Women on Missions and taught Sunday school in the 1950's.

Muriel and Ernie were early members of the VFW in Sarasota. They volunteered at Bay Pines. Muriel was the President of the ladies Auxiliary. Her proudest moment was when she was elected as District 10 President of the VFW. Muriel also made many lap robes for veterans. While serving in the 1960's, she was in charge of the Youth Activities. She received many certificates from Bay Pines thanking her for her service and volunteering for so many years. On April 21, 1986 Muriel received he Voluntary Service Award. It stated the following: This certificate is awarded to Muriel Locklear by the Veterans Administration in recognition of 300 hours of volunteer service to veterans through active participation in the Voluntary Service Program. Given at VAMC, Bay Pines on April 21, 1985. Signed by the Director and Administrator of Veterans Affairs.

Muriel was very active in the Sarasota Community. She was a member of the World War II War Brides Association. She belonged to the Sarasota Genealogy Association. She volunteered at the Fair Grounds setting up the exhibits and arts & crafts each year. Muriel also knitted and donated 500 sets of hats and booties to be given to new mothers and their baby's that were born at Sarasota Memorial Hospital.

Muriel is survived by her sons Ernest Ronald Locklear (Marsha), Steven Henry Locklear (Sharon), and daughter Carolyn Rose Barclay (Michael). Grandchildren: Kimberly R. Ghazvini, Karin M. Botelho, Kelli M. Soukup, Stephanie R. Kohn, Ashley D. Locklear, Heather M. Diaz, Kevin B. Locklear, and 15 great grandchildren.

A graveside service for Muriel will be held Saturday, April 24, 2021 at 3:00 PM at Palms Memorial Park, 170 Honore Ave, Sarasota, FL 34232.

Our family wishes to thank Sunnyside Village's wonderful staff for their care and concern while attending to our mother, Muriel.