Nelle Lockley

1927 - 2026

Nelle Lockley
March 7, 1927 - January 21, 2026
Nelle Mae Lockley, 98, died peacefully on January 21, 2026, in San Antonio, Texas. She was born on March 7, 1927, in Seguin, Texas, to Arthur and Lorena Smith.
In 1945, Nelle married Edmund R. ("Ran") Preston, Jr. Together they raised four children during Ran's career in the U.S. Army, living at posts across the country and overseas before returning to Texas upon his retirement. Before Ran's death in 1988, they moved to the Army Residence Community (ARC) in San Antonio where she remained close to her children and to the community that became central to her life.
In 1992 she married Clifford Stevens, who joined her at the ARC until his death in 2013. She continued to be active within the community and later married Roy Lockley, a fellow ARC resident, who died in 2022.
Nelle was a loving mother to John, Bill, Sue, and Tom, and in later years a devoted grandmother to Christi Preston and Laura Vanin, Jennifer and Shannon Crump, and Ruslan and Sasha Preston. She was also the proud great-grandmother of Jack and Lucas Lawson, and Sophia and Kaya Vanin.
Nelle's long life was marked by resilience, grace, and the enduring love she showed her family. She will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered.
A memorial service will be conducted at the Army Residence Community Chapel at 9am on February 4th followed by a committal ceremony at the Ft. Sam Houston National Cemetery.