Barbara Sauls Locke

Barbara Jean Sauls Locke Drew, 95, passed away July 14, 2025 at her home. Her funeral service will be conducted Thursday, July 17, 2025 at 11:00 am at Dawson Methodist Church with a private entombment to follow.

Barbara Jean Sauls was born in Atmore, Alabama on May 28, 1930, but a few months later Barbara and her parents, Aiken Chesley and Addie Mason Sauls, moved to River Falls, Alabama, the home of her paternal grandparents. When Barbara was five years old, the family moved to Cairo, GA where her father had accepted a position with the Roddenberry Pickle Company.

Barbara graduated in 1947 from Cairo High School with honors. She attended Georgia Southwestern College in Americus, Georgia and the University of Georgia in Athens, Georgia with a master’s degree in child psychology and childhood education.

After teaching a few years, Barbara retired to marry Bobby Jackson Locke. They moved to Dawson where Bobby served as County Agricultural Agent. Bobby and Barbara opened Locke Farm Center which is still operated by their two children Buni Locke Durr and Rodney York Locke. They were members of the Dawson Methodist Church.

Mr. Locke passed away February 23, 2006. On July 27, 2013, Barbara married Jack Cone Drew, her high school sweetheart, from Cairo, GA. Mr. Drew passed away August 7, 2023.

She is survived by her children, Buni Durr (Richard) and Rodney Locke (Dawn) all of Dawson, Cindy Turner (Rodney) of Cairo, GA, Linda Johnson (Bobby) of Thomasville, GA. Lisa Hoop (George) of Fort Myers, FL, and Jack Drew, Jr. (Lana) of Cordele, GA. Grandchildren Mathew Durr (Brittany), Chesley Durr (Kristal), Barbara Delle Giovingo (Joe), Mason Locke (Katie), Taylor Locke and Marlee Locke. Great grandchildren, Hayes Durr, Palmer Durr, Kimbrell Durr, Cannon Durr, Sawyer Bryan, Addalyn Giovingo, Hallie Giovingo, Bobbie Jaie Locke, Nora Locke, Isabella Oxford, Bevy Webb, and Clanton Locke. An incredibly special recognition to her caregivers Sharon Furlow, Mary Grier, Ernestine Spires Chandra Darity and Annetra Jones.

The family will receive friends at the home of Rodney Locke, Wednesday, July 16, 2025 from 5:00 to 7:00 PM.

Pallbearers will be, Matthew Durr, Chesley Durr, Mason Locke, Taylor Locke, Joe Giovingo and Mike Spilman.

In lieu of flowers please make memorials the Dawson Methodist Church, P. O. Box 167, Dawson, GA 39842.