Samuel Lockley

Samuel St. Clare Lockley (88), “Sam,” passed away peacefully at his home in Indian Head, Maryland on January 29, 2024. Samuel was born on January 10, 1936, in Christchurch, Virginia, to devoted parents who preceded him in death, Daniel Lockley, Jr. and Julia Esther (Fields) Lockley. Sam deeply touched the lives of many as a loving son, brother, husband, father, uncle, grandfather, great-grandfather, great-great-grandfather, and friend. Samuel accepted the Lord as his Savior at an early age with the Calvary Baptist Church in Saluda, Virginia. He was educated in the public schools of Middlesex County, Virginia, and proudly graduated from St. Clare Walker High School, Class of 1956. He later attended St. Paul’s College (formerly St. Paul Polytechnic Institute) in Lawrenceville, Virginia where in 1957 he was initiated into full membership of the Delta Lamba Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. Samuel graduated St. Paul’s College with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Industrial Arts in 1960.

After college, Samuel settled in Charles County, Maryland where he met the love of his life, Ethel Thomas. They later united in Holy Matrimony on September 11, 1972, and remained married for 46 years until Ethel was called home to be with the Lord. Through this union, he became a beloved father to Carmelita Lockley and a loving stepfather to Robin and Lawrence Washington creating lasting memories of a beautiful family together. Samuel began his career in the federal government as a Physical Science Lab Technician at the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Indian Head Division before retiring as an Electronics Technician in September 1999 after 38 years of service. His brief post-retirement employment included service as a Substitute Teacher with the Charles County Public School System. Sam also held various positions from Exchequer to Polemarch of the Fredericksburg (VA) Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., as it nurtured high standards of Black accomplishment. In recognition of his service to the fraternity, Kappa Alpha Psi presented Samuel with many accolades over the years to include the Elder Statesman Award.

Sam’s love of his family and friends was paramount in his life. He loved to spend time with them and very rarely missed a family gathering. Samuel’s talents included the ability to install and repair electrical wiring and maintain electrical systems after completion of electrical school. He often lent his talent to family and friends making house calls to troubleshoot and repair their electrical problems. He passed this skill set onto his grandsons Adrian and Anthony Lockley. They served as his apprentices when he installed wiring in the current family home in Saluda, Virginia while under new construction.
Sam was well known as the person who you could call when you needed advice, a listening and compassionate ear, a helping hand, or a good laugh. During his many travels, he would always check in with family and friends whenever he was in their area. Samuel enjoyed sharing knowledge and wisdom with his grandchildren and took special delight in instructing his grandson Marcus Dabney on the proper way to prepare his favorite drink. Some of his most cherished activities included cooking breakfast, watching sports games and old western movies, as well as, playing Bid Whist. Samuel kept in touch with friends, neighbors, and family daily to keep abreast of current events and make sure that everything was “under control.”

Samuel was predeceased by his sisters Gazelle Lockley, Julia Washington, Doris Gwynn, Emma Pyle, Lucy McLin, and Mary Wrenn; brother Daniel Lockley III; granddaughter Nadine Williams and grandsons Aaron Williams and Lawrence Washington, Jr. He leaves to cherish his memory, his children Carmelita Lockley (August), Robin Washington, Lawrence Washington; siblings William Lockley (Joyce), Ora Lockley-Jones, Zelma Paschal (James); nieces and nephews Marnita Washington, Christine Wrenn, Denise Johnson, Karen Gwynn, Michelle McLin, Marquita Ntim, Cyril Pyle, Jr., Leon, John and Nathan Washington, and George Gwynn; grandchildren DeShawn Washington, LaShunta Thomas, Andre Williams, Adrian Lockley, Anthony Lockley, Ron Williams, Marcus Dabney; and a host of great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, cousins, other relatives, friends and brothers of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc