Cecil Bennit Locklear

CECIL BENNIT LOCKLEAR

SADDLETREE — Cecil Bennit Locklear, 89, of the Saddletree Community, joined his heavenly father Jan. 2, 2022.

Born on April 7, 1932, he was the son of the late Loy Locklear and Flarie Bell Locklear.

A trailblazer and distinguished modern day renaissance man, he refurbished and flew his own plane. He was a sportsman and avid fisherman, inventor to his own degree, self-taught musician of multiple instruments, carpenter, brick mason, farmer, and family man.

A man of few words, he inspired his family and was a respected community mentor. While leading by example he showed a bigger world to be explored beyond his beloved home of Saddletree. He and his lifelong sweetheart, Josephine Locklear, were both adored pillars of the community.

Cecil is proceeded in death by his parents, Loy Locklear, and Flarie Bell Locklear; brothers, Marshall Locklear, Willie Sanford Locklear, Johnnie Locklear, Bracey Locklear and JQ Locklear; sisters, Eteska Hunt, and Adelaide Boughman; and his wife of 65 years, Josephine Locklear.

He is survived by his children, Patrisse Locklear (David) of Saddletre, Freida Spillers (Jackie) of Fairmont, Vanessa Locklear of Fayetteville, and Jamie Locklear (Larry Willard) and Jodie Locklear (Jennifer Seagraves) of Dillon, South Carolina; 11 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; a great-great grandchild; and a host of friends and relatives. Cecil will be fondly remembered and sorely missed.

A graveside service will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 5, 2022 at Mt. Olive Baptist Church Cemetery.

Arrangements by Revels Funeral Home Lumberton.