When I come to the end of the road, and the sun has set for me. I want no rites in a gloom filled room. Why cry for a soul set free? Miss me a little, but not for long, and not with your head bowed low. Remember the love that we once shared. Miss me but let me go. For this is a journey we all must take, and each must go alone. It's all part of the master plan. A step on the road to home. When you are lonely and sick at heart, Go to the friends we know. Laugh at all the things we used to do. Miss me, but let me go. When I am dead, my dearest, sing no sad songs for me. Plant thou no roses at my head, nor shady cypress tree Be the green grass above me, with showers and dewdrops wet And if thou wilt remember, and if thou wilt, forget. I shall not see the shadows. I shall not fear the rain. I shall not hear the nightingale, sing on as if in pain. And dreaming through the twilight, that doth not rise or set, Happily, I may remember, and happily, I may forget. < >---------------------------- The family of the late Reverend John A. Lockhart wishes to express our heartfelt thanks and appreciation for your prayers, visits, calls, comforting words, social media posts, and other acts of kindness bestowed upon us during ourtime of bereavement. Your kindness and love will forever be in our hearts. Please continue to keep us in your prayers. - The Lockhart Family WRIGHT&JONES FUNERAL HOME Dignity-Reverence-Service 111 N Washington Street | Lincolnton, Georgia 30817 | 706-359-3669 Bessie W. Lee, Funeral Director | Damonica R. Lee, Manager Printing/Design By: AUGUSTA BLUEPRINT | augustablue.com | 706.722.6488 CELEBRATING A LIFE WELL LIVED Saturday, May 8,2021 11:00 A.M. MOUNT OLIVE MEMORIAL GARDENS 3666 Deans Bridge Road Hephzibah, Georgia < >---------------- Reverend Dr. Kenneth B. Martin - Officiating - "If I can help somebody, as I travel along; If I can help somebody, With a word or song; If I can help somebody, from doing wrong; No, my living shall not be in vain..." "If I Can Help Somebody" - Mahalia Jackson Reverend John Arthur Lockhart transitioned to his heavenly home to be with the Lord on Friday, April 30, 2021. He was born on July 8, 1939, to the late Jetson and Mary Lee Lockhart, in Louisville, Georgia. He accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior at an early age and was baptized at the Eden Baptist Church in Louisville, Georgia. He later joined the Antioch Baptist Church in Augusta, Georgia, where he served in many capacities over the years. John was a proud alumnus of Lucy C. Laney High School, having graduated in 1959. After graduation, he went on to serve in the United States Army. Shortly thereafter, he studied auto mechanics at Augusta Technical College. He went on to use these skills as an employee at Proctor and Gamble, without missing a single day for thirty-one years. He worked very hard to provide the best for his family, for he understood his role as the head of the household. John was called upon by his Lord and Savior to spread the word of the gospel. He quickly accepted this call and was actively engaged in the ministry foroverthirty years. He studied the word diligently atthe American Baptist Theology Seminary, where he received his diploma in Christian Training and received a Bachelor of Theology degree from Andersonville Baptist Seminary. While serving as one of the associate pastors at the Antioch Baptist Church, he oversaw the Prison Ministry and the Sick and Shut-in Ministry. He also served as the coordinator of the Wednesday Noonday Service. In addition to these ministries, he worked in the Evangelistic Task Force and was the Co-Chairperson of the Burke County Women's Mission of the 10th District General Missionary Baptist Convention of Georgia, Inc. He served as the minister of The Children's Church as well. In November 2003, he was called to pastor the Fellowship Baptist Church, where he served for sixteen years before retiring in 2020. John was well known throughout the community. He never met a stranger and greeted everyone with a warm smile. He was known to call and check in on his friends and loved ones to pray with them or just laugh and talk. He, also, frequently assisted families in the Juvenile Court System and served as the Chaplain for Habitat for Humanity. He also held weekly Bible studies for elderly individuals. He truly had a zest for life and found joy in helping others. John was an avid car and motorcycle enthusiast. He also occasionally enjoyed hunting and fishing. He loved frequently traveling with his wife and family. Most of all, John greatly enjoyed spending time with his family, especially with his host of grandchildren. John was preceded in death by his brother, Lawrence Lockhart, and sister, Patricia Waltower. Loved ones he leaves to cherish his fond memories: his loving wife of fifty-nine years, Gertrude Lockhart; four children, Vince (Dr. Terri) Lockhart of Martinez, GA, Loleevee (Freddie) Brown, Lorenzo Lockhart, both of Augusta, GA, and Dr. Lutricia (Kenny) Parkman of North Augusta, SC; ten grandchildren, Nicole, Jala, Simone, John, Xavier, Miles, Leah, Jenae, Kimberly, and Kendall; two great-grandchildren, Novia and Kayden; four sisters, Berlinda (Henry) Stevens, Jeanette (Thomas Lee) Hawkins, both of Augusta, GA, Tijuana Shivers-Stanley, and Katherine Lockhart, both of Miami FL; one brother, Larry Lockhart, of Miami, FL; sister-in-law, Daisy Thurmond of Clarks Hill, SC; brothers-in-law, Reverend Eugene Waltower, Michael Tanksley, Ramsey Jones, and Moses (Sheila) Jones, all of Augusta, GA, and Luther (Rosa Lee) Jones of Appling, GA; godchildren, Victor Sullivan Jr., Bradley Jones, Breanka Williams, and Cornelious Bryant, all of Augusta, GA; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends that he loved dearly. SCRIPTURES OldTestament.......................Reverend David Williams NewTestament.......................Reverend James Morris PRAYER....................................Mr. Lorenzo Lockhart SOLO....................................Mr. Henry Stevens, Jr. REFLECTIONS.....Ms. Katie Morris | Member of Fellowship Baptist Church Three Minutes, Please Xavier Holley | Grandson Reverend Clarence Grier | Classmate OBITUARY...........................................Read Silently ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS................................Nicole Lockhart SOLO...............................................Deleki R. Lee EULOGY.............................Reverend Dr. Kenneth B. Martin COMMITTAL BENEDICTION Because of you we have each other. Yet you made each one of us the apple of your eye. Your Rock. Your Dump Truck. Your One. For some of us you were our only grandfather. For all of us, you were the best... Even if you scared us with a gorilla mask, And certainly not because you had a song for everything Even if you couldn't really sing. You are our Grandaddy, Veteran, Double Grandaddy, Poppy, and Papa John. We witnessed the love Grandma has held for you. You always made sure there was a kitchen full of our favorite foods: Pig trotters, Crab Legs with butter sauce, Creamed Corn, and Hash. From every Excursion to Hilton Head, To a pool you only cleaned when we'd visit for summer, You were always waiting at the door ready to spoil us. And when your name was called in Heaven, We know you remembered to "Jump!" We know you stood before your Creator dressed like a golden nugget, Awaiting a banquet with all the loved ones you couldn't call to check up on. And then after you've eaten, you'll kick back in your big chair and sleep. We'll be looking out for those heavenly moments - The little wink-reminders that you're watching over us. And when we dial up to heaven, we bet youll answer and say, "May the blessings of God fall afresh upon you." Written with memories from: Nicole Lockhart, Simone Hollie, Jala Lockhart, Xavier Hollie, John Allen Brown, Jenae Brown, Leah Lockhart, Kimberly Lockhart, Miles Parkman and Kendall Parkman