Obituary of Mary "Susi" Lockard

Mary Sue (Susi) Lockard, 91, died peacefully in the presence of her loved ones on February 2, 2022. Susi was born on March 27, 1930 in Houston, Texas. She received her BA in Bible & Religious Education from Baylor University and attended Southwestern Seminary. On December 17, 1949 she married the love of her life, W. David Lockard, who preceded her in death in 2015 after being married for 65 years. Surviving are their two children and spouses, Doug and Dee Lockard and Barbara and Billy White, eight grandchildren, and twelve great-grandchildren.

In 1953, David and Susi took their love of God and teaching to Zimbabwe where they served as missionaries for 13 years. While living there, David and Susi led and taught at the African Baptist Theological Seminary, now known as the Baptist Theological Seminary of Zimbabwe. It was the first Baptist ministry in Central Africa. Susi also worked with the African Baptist Women’s organization and taught Sunday School. Upon returning to the States, David and Susi worked in orientation and training missionaries. After retiring from the International Mission Board, Susi spent 10 years as an editor at LifeWay Publishing in Nashville. While in Nashville, Susi also taught Bible Study classes at a women’s prison and wrote many letters of encouragement to the inmates there. She also authored two books, “Tondi’s New World” for children, and “To Love is to Give” for African churches. Having a desire to continue to help the people in Africa, Susi sponsored countless children over the years.

Spending the past 22 years in The Villages, FL, Susi enjoyed golf, oil painting, music, and fellowship with family and friends. She was known for her sense of humor, generosity, fashion sense, and her lifelong dedication of serving Christ. Even in retirement, her mission work continued as a founding member and a deacon at Living Stones Baptist Church, donating her time and resources to various causes. She coordinated numerous drives to collect items for women’s shelter ministries, to send care packages to soldiers, and to create back-to-school backpacks filled with school supplies. Susi also planned and coordinated church services for the people at Watercrest Assisted Living Facility.

Family and friends will gather for a celebration of her life which will be held at 1 p.m. on Sunday, February 13 at Hiers-Baxley Funeral Home 3975 Wedgewood Lane The Villages, FL 32162. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Living Stones Baptist Church Building Fund, P.O. Box 1029 Wildwood, FL 34785.