James Cortez Lockett

James Cortez Lockett was born on April 12, 1973 in Flint, Michigan to the union of Gentle James and Fannie Elnora Roshell Lockett. He attended Dewey Elementary School and went on to Northwestern High School where he played varsity football, as well as, various other sports. He found time in his busy schedule to mentor younger children in the community. He joined Evergreen Missionary Baptist Church and gave his life to Christ at an early age. He sung in the mass choir and served on the usher board. He often said, “Dad moved to Arkansas and made me come with him because I was only 17.” While living in Arkansas he attended St. Clair Baptist Church. James was an employee of Petit Jean Poultry, Tyson Foods and Firestone where he worked for 10 years until his health started to decline. Upon moving to Hope he joined Greater Hope Baptist Church. He loved quoting scriptures with his favorite being, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and soul, lean not to your own understanding, but in all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your paths.” Proverbs 3:5 His greatest joy was spending time with family at cookouts and bon fires. James never met a stranger and always modeled an open friendly demeanor. On December 23, 2014 James passed into the Lord’s embrace. Although his death leaves a void; his memory will fill the empty place in our hearts. He was preceded in passing by his mother, Fannie Elnora Lockett; two brothers, Rickey Price and Kenneth Roshell; four uncles and five aunts. He leaves to cherish his memory: two sons, Xavier Lee Lockett and Kendrick Cortez Lockett both of Hope, AR; his father, Gentle James Lockett of Okolona, AR; two brothers, Cornell (Sandra) Lockett of Hope, AR, and Xavier TaShon Beard of Okolona, AR; three sisters, Zakiyyah “Gator” Metcalf, Zamaria Metcal both of Flint, MI, and Felecia Williams of Hope, AR; uncles, Donald (Ann) Lockett of Flint, MI, John Wayne Rochell of Little Rock, AR, Don (Donna) Rochell, Herman Rochell both of Fordyce, AR; aunts, Ruth (Bobby) Adams of Okolona, AR, Doris Ray of Moreno Valley, CA, Martha Hill of Chicago, IL, Janet (Earnest) Brown of Rison, AR, Vivian Simmons of Flint, MI, Peggy Roshell of Little Rock, AR, and Brenda (Alvin) Hodges of Columbus, GA. He also leaves nieces, nephews, numerous cousins and friends. Home Going services will be at 11 am on Wednesday, December 31, 2014 at St. Clair Baptist Church with Rev. D. B Newburn, officiating. Rev. Russell Neal, pastor of Greater Hope Baptist Church in Hope will deliver the message. Public visitation Tuesday, December 30, 2014 from 1- 7pm and the family will receive friends from 6-7pm. The interment will be in St. Clair Baptist Church Cemetery.