"I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith." — 2 Timothy 4:7 (KJV)

Reverend Ruth Lockhart was born on July 31, 1940, in Rocky Mount, North Carolina, to Ernestine and Cleveland Clark. As a young girl, Ruth relocated with her parents to Baltimore, Maryland, where she attended Catholic school throughout her early education.

After graduating from high school, Ruth returned to North Carolina, where she met and married Hermon Parker. In 1969, Ruth and Hermon moved to Newark, New Jersey. From this union, two daughters were born, Michelle and Shavonne.

Ruth dedicated 40 years of service to Bell Atlantic, now known as Verizon, where she built a long and respected career. Her faith and calling to ministry led her to attend and graduate from Screven Memorial Bible Institute in 1988. In 1991, Reverend Lockhart made history as the first woman to be ordained at Second Friendship Baptist Church in Newark, New Jersey, where she had been a faithful and devoted member since 1975.

After retiring from Bell Atlantic in 1993, Ruth relocated to Herndon, Virginia. She joined Greater Faith Baptist Church under the leadership of Reverend Bernardo Snipes. Following the church's relocation, Ruth and her daughter Shavonne became members of Mount Pleasant Baptist Church in 1995. There, Reverend Lockhart faithfully served in the Prison Ministry, Security Ministry, Seniors Ministry and Women of Praise. She remained an active and committed member until her health declined earlier this year.

Reverend Lockhart leaves to cherish her memory her two daughters, Michelle Tutt of Manassas, Virginia, and Shavonne Eadie of Manassas, Virginia; her son-in-law, Wayne Eadie; her beloved grandchildren, Kasai and Emrie King; a bonus daughter, Delicia Hurdle; and a host of family and friends whom she loved dearly.

Closing

Well done, good and faithful servant. Your work on earth is complete, and your reward in heaven is eternal. Your legacy of faith, strength, and love will live on in all who were blessed to know you. You will be deeply missed, forever loved, and never forgotten.