Mildred Louise Lockhart, “Louise”, was born on August 9, 1937 in Smithville, Mississippi, to the union of the late Jimmie and Louberta Terry. Louise was an only child. Her parents were sharecroppers. When Louise was seven years old, her grandmother, Mary Gibson Riggins, “Bigma” brought her to Cleveland, Ohio. Louise’s mother, Louberta later joined her daughter and mother in Cleveland. Louise attended Cleveland Public Schools, specifically Bolton Elementary, Giddings Jr. High and John Hay High School.
Louise confessed Christ at an early age, attending Triedstone Missionary Baptist Church as a child, and Second Mt. Carmel Baptist Church with her Bigma. While attending John Hay High School, Louise met the love of her life, Tommy Lockhart. Upon graduation, Louise and Tommy married and Louise became part of the Lockhart clan for life, remaining so, even upon their divorce. Louise and Tommy were the proud parents of Michelle Caryn and Debra Leslie. A third daughter, Stephanie Lockhart died in infancy.
Louise was a phenomenal woman. While working and raising her daughters as a single mother, she took them to the church across the street, St. Paul A.M.E. Zion Church, where they joined under the pastorate of Rev. Albert Fuller. Louise’s mother-in-law, Juanita Lockhart was a devoted member of St. Paul and guided her granddaughters through the church. Louise worked many jobs to provide for her daughters. Louise worked most of her adult life at Ohio Bell Telephone Company. Upon retirement from Bell, she was a licensed realtor for many years. Louise worked a decade at the Maple Heights branch of the Cuyahoga County Library, before retiring a second time.
Louise was a phenomenal woman. Louise loved family and was a devoted friend to many. Louise’s mother, Louberta and her grandmother, Bigma lived with her, helping to raise Michelle and Debbie, while Louise worked. There were five generations of the Gibson/Terry clan, upon the birth of Louise’s grandchildren. Louise epitomized southern hospitality as characterized by great cooking, hosting family and friends for all occasions, especially bid whist games, birthday parties and holiday cookouts. Louise loved to travel as evidenced by cruises, flights to many destinations, and casinos with family and friends. Louise owned many homes during her lifetime. She could have been a professional interior decorator with her penchant for beautiful furnishings and exquisite taste in decorating each of her homes. Louise was known as a personal shopper for Michelle and Debbie, who often shopped at “Chez Louise’s”.
Louise was a devoted and dedicated grandmother to Sean, Shelley, Michael, and Malcolm. Louise was a loving and doting great-grandmother “GG” to Olivia, Alexis, Gianna, Ethan and Richard III. She did so much for all of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Louise was a phenomenal woman. During her fifteen-month long illness, her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren doted on her and returned the love that she generously spread over all of them.
Louise departed this life peacefully in her sleep at home, surrounded by family, on Thursday morning, October 10, 2024. Louise leaves to cherish her memory: daughters, Michelle Edwards (Morris), Debra McGuire (Willie), grandchildren, Sean McGuire (Katie), Shelley Taylor (Richard), Michael Edwards and Malcolm Edwards, great grandchildren, Olivia, Alexis, Gianna, Ethan, and Richard III, two Sisters-in-law, Jane Lockhart, Janice Lockhart and Priscilla Lockhart, nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of friends.