Carolyn Lewis Locke

1917 - 2015

Carolyn Lewis Locke

3/18/1917 - 7/30/2015



On the evening of July 30, 2015, Carolyn Lewis Locke died peacefully of natural causes in her home, surrounded by her loved ones.

Carolyn was born to Ruby and Vernon Cupp on March 18, 1917 in Ruston, LA. She was educated at local schools and was a graduate of Louisiana Polytechnic Institute. In 1940, she married her high school sweetheart, William Andrew Jackson (Billy) Lewis II, a recent graduate of the United States Naval Academy. Carolyn moved with him on his assignments to naval bases on the East and West Coasts. At the war's end, they returned to Ruston where they settled and reared their family. Their happy marriage of 62 years ended with Billy's death in 2002.

In 2007, at the age of 90, Carolyn married again, this time to a graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point, W. Grim Locke. They shared a love of cultural activities such as the Metropolitan Opera simulcast, and enjoyed traveling. Both were enthusiastic duplicate bridge players, He almost-but not quite- matched her expertise. They played their last hand together less than a week before she died.

An active participant in the cultural life of Ruston, Carolyn was a charter member of the Culture Guild and the Ruston Garden Study Club, an early president of the Ruston Civic Symphony Society, and a member of the North Central Louisiana Arts Council and the Lincoln Parish Museum. She held membership in the Louisiana Tech Concert Association every year since its inception in the early 1940's. Additionally, she was a leader for each of her four children's Scout troops.

As a member of Trinity United Methodist Church, she was past president of the Women's Society of Christian Service and taught Sunday school for many years. Carolyn, along with her children, donated the much-used labyrinth that graces the courtyard of the church. At the time of her death, she was both the church's oldest and longest-standing member.

The embodiment of Southern charm and graciousness, Carolyn was devoted to her family and her community. She will be remembered for her strong character, her intelligence and wit, her chic stylishness, her beautiful home, and especially her pink angel food cakes (for which she always beat the egg whites by hand).

Carolyn is predeceased by her first husband, WAJ (Billy) Lewis II, her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Vernon Cupp, her sister, Margaret Cupp Roane, and an infant granddaughter, Jacqueline Ardis Lewis. She is survived by her second husband, W. Grim Locke, her four children Elizabeth Lewis Thier (David), Catherine Lewis Long (Green), William Andrew Jackson Lewis III (Melissa), and Richard Neil Lewis (Janine), 12 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Funeral Services will be held at Trinity United Methodist Church on Friday, August 7, 2015, at 10:30 a.m. with Rev. Leslie Stephens officiating. Visitation will be beforehand at the church at 9:30 a.m. A graveside service for family will be held later in the afternoon. Pallbearers will be Jim Hough, William J. Lewis, David Roane, Henry Roane, Robert Temple, and Steve Thurmon.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.kilpatrickfuneralhomes.com

Kilpatrick Funeral Home

Ruston, LA