Effie "Lee" Lockard

Lenora Effie (Lee) Bench-Lockard, passed away at her daughter’s home in Sweetwater on Friday, October 21, 2022.  A visitation will be held at Piersall Funeral Directors, 733 Butternut Street on Monday, October 24, 2022, from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m., with a graveside service on Tuesday, October 25, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. at the Abilene Municipal Cemetery.

Lee was born on November 5, 1930, to Barbara and Leroy Bench in Oklahoma.  She graduated from high school in 1948, where she went on to serve her community at the Abilene State School for 30+ years, where she had also retired.  She married the love of her life, Charles William Lockard on his birthday in 1953.  They went on to have their first child, Sue, in 1955.  From there, they adopted their other 2 children, Cindy and Charles, from South Korea in 1965.  Charles William Lockard preceded her in death on April 27, 1997.

She attended North Park Church of Christ and Oak Street Church of Christ.  She was a Christian woman and had devoted herself to the Lord.  She was charismatic, always tended to see the good in people and was the type of person that would give her last dollar.  She made an impact on everyone she met, and she never met a stranger.

Her beautiful life will forever be cherished in the lives of her children, Sue and Darrell Willett of Archer City, Cindy and Mike Dotson of Sweetwater and Charles and Jessica Lockard of Abilene; 9 grandchildren, 15 great grandchildren and 5 great-great grandchildren; plus, a host of devoted nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.  She is also preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Wayne Fish.

Condolences may be offered to the family online at www.pbfuneraldirectors.com.