Burma Lockridge

Family-Placed Death Notice

DR. BURMA L. LOCKRIDGE Dr. Burma L. Lockridge died at her home in Roswell, Saturday, January 20, 2007, surrounded by family and friends. Burma was 80 years old. Born in Albertville, Alabama, she was the oldest daughter of John Levis and Julia Carnes Lasseter. She was married for more the 40 adventurous and love-filled years to R.L. Lockridge, who passed away in 1988. She is survived by her sisters, Martha Elliot of Panama City, Florida, and her husband Mike, Mary Smith, of Birmingham, Alabama, and Anne Hobgood, also of Birmingham; brothers-in-law Maurice Lockridge of Lakeland, Florida, and his wife Cherie, and Richard Hobgood of Gulfport, Mississippi; sons Robert L. Lockridge of Orlando, Florida, and his wife Gloria, and Levis L. Lockridge of Decatur, Georgia, and his wife Karen; by her grandchildren, Keir, Chelsea, and Caitlin Lockridge; and by a large collection of nieces, nephews, grand-nieces, and grand-nephews whom she loved and treasured with all her heart. Burma earned her bachelors degree from Mercer University and began her career in education as an elementary school teacher in Macon and later in Augusta, Georgia. In 1965 the family moved to Roswell and she took a position teaching at Highpoint Elementary School in Fulton County. While working full time and raising a family, she went on to earn her Masters degree from Emory University and doctorate in Educational Administration from Georgia State. She served as the principal of Heards Ferry Elementary School from 1970 until 1975. In 1975 Fulton County instituted a pilot program to implement middle schools in the county, and Burma was selected as the principal of Sandy Springs Middle School, the first middle school in Fulton County. She later went on to become the Executive Director of Middle Schools for the County. James F. Fox, Superintendent of the Fulton County School System at the time Burma retired in 1987 said, "You have individually orchestrated and developed the exceptional middle school program we have today..." J. Lawson Sayer, Associate Superintendent for Planning and Human Resources, referred to her as the "pioneer and mother of our middle school program" in his congratulatory letter on her retirement. The Roswell United Methodist Church was an important part of Burma's life from the time she moved to Roswell until her death. She was active in the church, volunteering at the counseling center and in other roles for many years. The support and love she and RL received from RUMC cannot be overstated. Burma was a legendary cook, who loved feeding and entertaining family and friends. Her cooking skills and generous spirit, coupled with RL's gardening, meant that there was always something warm and inviting brewing in the Lockridge kitchen. (In the interest of fairness it should be pointed out that RL made better cornbread than Burma. It's just one of those unexplainable things. He was a cornbread savant.) She was also an accomplished seamstress who especially loved sewing for her granddaughters. Thanks to her creativity and efforts they were able to be princesses, lovely senoritas, power rangers, and more. Being 'Grandma' was the job that brought the most satisfaction and happiness to Burma. She treasured the time Keir spent with her and RL each summer, in Roswell and at the beach, and nothing meant more to her than baking cookies with Chelsea or helping Caiti paint a picture. Funeral Services for Burma will be held Saturday, January 27, at 10:00 at the Roswell United Methodist Church. The family will receive visitors from 5 till 8 Friday, January 26, at the Roswell Funeral Home (770-993-4811). In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to either the The Scleroderma Foundation, 300 Rosewood Drive, Suite 105, Danvers, MA 01923 or to Decatur Cooperative Ministry, P.O. Box 457, Decatur, GA 30031. www.roswellfuneralhome.com