Charles L. Lockhart

He was born in Wilmington, NC in 1934 to Homer & Gladys Lockhart. Charles attended Willingston Industrial High school and following graduation, he enlisted in the United States Navy in September of 1952. Charles served as Commissary Man Petty Officer, 1st Class during the Korean War, where he was Honorably

discharged after completing four years of service. Charles’s journey continued at Central University in Durham NC, where he cultivated his passion for criminal justice, and all things theater related. We can all remember him launching into Shakespeare monologues at the drop of a hat. Central University is also where he met Deborah Roberson, a Dance Theater & Library Science major, who invited him to a ‘Sadie Hawkins’ dance and the rest is history, as the story has been told.

Charles and Deborah married and moved to Washington D.C., where Charles began working at Oak Hill Juvenile detention center and then the United States Probation Office, and Deborah entered the D.C. Public Library system. The couple helped others to change their lives and community through work and caring and helping

others grow. The couple also enjoyed many parties, cookouts and celebrations with family, neighbors & friends at 4212 8th Street, NW Washington, D.C.

Charles and Deborah welcomed, Tracie Lockhart, on July 9, 1965, a loving energetic addition to the couple’s lives. Charles was a devoted father and the two had a special bond. He would bring her with him to work and introduced her to his love of theater, with trips

to Lincoln Theater, the Kennedy Center, and various establishments along the Georgia Avenue corridor. Charles also shared his love of Wilmington, and its beautiful coastal beaches creating lifelong memories of time on the water. He was also a loving grandfather who treasured time with Donald, Dominique, and Destiny during summer vacations in D.C. and Wilmington.

Charles was preceded in death by Homer, Gladys, Hariett, William, Carol, and Lawrence Lockhart and is survived by his sister, Phyllis Green; Daughter, Tracie Tillery (Fred Tillery); Grandchildren, Donald Lockhart, Dominique Lockhart, and Destiny Glee; Nephews, Raymond Drye, Jerry Lockhart, Todd Lockhart, Jared Lockhart; Nieces, Lisa Thompson, Jocelyn Walker, Nicole Busch, Jackie Simpkins, Pam Lockhart; Great-Granddaughter, Ava Marie Tillery and several grand nephews & nieces.