Arlene Carter Lockhart

Arlene Carter Lockhart, wife of Dr. Jay Lockhart, passed away from this life on August 4, 2024, after a seven-year struggle with dementia. She was born on February 9, 1939, in Newbern, Tennessee, the sixth of the seven children of Clarence and Rosa Mai Carter. After attending public schools in Newbern, Arlene attended Freed Hardeman University in Henderson, Tennessee, where she met her husband. They were married on September 9, 1958, and were married for sixty-six years. Following their marriage, Arlene worked as a secretary while Jay finished his education for ministry in the churches of Christ. For the next fifty-six years, the couple worked together with churches in Kentucky, Oklahoma, and Texas, thirty-four of which were in the Tyler area. Arlene was the mother of three children and, during her early years, was a stay-at-home mom. After her children were in middle school, Arlene returned to her career as a secretary and bookkeeper to help prepare for the college education of her children, all of whom are graduates of Harding University in Seary, Arkansas. After her children finished college, Arlene fulfilled her lifelong dream of finishing college and graduated in 1989 with highest honors from the University of Texas at Tyler. She worked for twenty years for the CPA firm of Bryant and Welborn in Tyler. In addition to being a wife, mother, and businesswoman, Arlene was always active in the work of her church. She taught Bible classes for children in her early years and later taught teenage girls. She spent the rest of her life teaching classes for women. This latter work took her not only to the local churches where her husband preached but also to churches and colleges in several states and foreign countries. In addition to her other activities, Arlene was known among the churches for her gift of hospitality. She loved having people in her home, preparing meals, and hosting other activities. She was a wonderful cook. Sometimes she would have an open house and invite the whole church. Through the years she literally hosted hundreds of people in her home. She was dearly loved by all who knew her because of her loving, quiet, serving spirit, and she will be greatly missed. Arlene is survived by her husband, Dr. Jay Lockhart; three children: Terry Shaw and husband, John; Tammy Sanford and husband, Curtis; and Jay Lockhart, Jr. and wife, Missy; six grandchildren: Haley Breedlove and husband, Toby; Lindsay Frazier and husband, Jerad; Parker Lockhart; Spencer Shaw and Antasia Stevens; Kaleb Sanford; and Savanna Stevens and husband, John; and three great-grandchildren: Bo Breedlove, Azariah Stevens, and Maylah Stevens. Pallbearers are Jerad Frazier, Parker Lockhart, Kaleb Sanford, John Stevens, Ronnie VanEaton, and Mike Viar. Honorary pallbearers are Bo Breedlove and Azariah Stevens. Services for Arlene will be at Stewart Family Funeral Home on Saturday, August 10, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. Visitation will precede the service at 9:00 a.m. Burial will be at Rose Lawn Cemetery in Tyler.

Arlene Carter Lockhart

February 9, 1939 - August 4, 2024