Gertrude Marsh Lockett was born in Laurel, Mississippi on September 22, 1926 to her parents Epp Marsh, Sr. and Gertrude Green. She was the third of eleven children – five brothers – Lonnie (deceased), Leonard (deceased), William (deceased), Epp Jr. and Ludie Marsh, and five sisters Catherine Smith, Mary Johnson (deceased), Frances Shelby (Albert), Ruth Barnwell and Alice Willis.

Gertrude attended the O’Park School in Laurel. She met and married her husband, William Lockett in Laurel as well.  Gertrude’s first two children, Carolyn and William C. Lockett were born there as well.  In the early 1950’s, she and her young family migrated to Cleveland, Ohio.  Living on the east side for many years she and her husband purchased their first home there.  Shortly after arriving in Cleveland, she gave birth to her daughter Grace and her twin sons, Kenneth and Keith.  Gertrude was a trailblazer who led the migration of her siblings to Cleveland.

Gertrude was a very hardworking woman who instilled the values of education and home ownership to her children. She was always supportive of her children and took great pride in their accomplishments.  She was committed to her children.  She loved to read the daily newspaper and keep up with the news inside and outside of this country.  She enjoyed listening to music, especially the genres of R & B and the blues.  She liked communicating with her sisters on a daily basis.  Gertrude was very religious and attended church on a regular basis up and until she became challenged by Alzheimer’s Dementia in the early 2000s.  Gertrude led a very active life.  She loved flowers and gardening in her back yard.  She loved her grandchildren dearly and played an integral role in their upbringing.

Gertrude made her transition on November 15, 2019. She is survived by her children, Carolyn A. Hunter, Grace M. Lockett, Kenneth L. Lockett (Daria) and Keith G. Lockett.  Her husband William Lockett and her son, William C. Lockett predeceased her.  Gertrude leaves behind six grandchildren Traci L. Hunter, Kevin C. Lockett, Damen K. Lockett, Courtney A. Crenshaw, Evan K. Artis and Ryan Lockett.  She also leaves behind four great-grandchildren; Jasmine Hunter, Tristen Jones, Ian Artis and Ezra Artis and two great-great grandchildren, Chase Douglas and Marvelle “MJ” Gipson and a host of nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews, great-great nieces and great-great nephews.

Her kindness, keen sense of humor and warm personality will be sorely missed.