Mary Francis (Locklear) Louis

In the gentle hours of the morning on December 20, 2023, the Lord called home one of His faithful servants, Mary Francis Louis. Born on a crisp autumn day in 1954 in the lush lands of North Carolina, Mary blossomed into a woman of grace and strength. Her journey on this earth concluded in the warm embrace of Dothan, Alabama, after a courageous battle with an extended illness, surrounded by the love of her family.

Mary was a beacon of love, known to all as a devoted wife to her cherished husband, Ulasese Louis, and a nurturing mother to her beloved children, Nathaniel Locklear and Denise (Eric) McKinnon. Her legacy continued to flourish through her adoring grandchildren, Najeerah Williams, Shadaiah Louis, Isasiah Locklear, Jamillan Cooper, Devin Locklear, Taylor Locklear, Nathaniel Locklear, Azaria McKinnon, and Eric McKinnon, as well as her six great-grandchildren who brought her immeasurable joy. She also leaves behind her loving sister, Julia Williams.

Though her sister, Lacey Eden, and her brothers, Eddie Locklear and Lee E. Locklear, preceded her in death, Mary's spirit of kinship extended to her goddaughters, Whitney Marshall, Melinda Bridley, and Khalilah McIntyre.

Mary's journey led her from the Tar Heel State to the Garden State of New Jersey, where she met and married the love of her life, Ulasese. Together, they heeded the call of family duty and relocated to Dothan in 1987 to provide tender care for her mother-in-law. It was here that Mary's roots deepened, and her love for the community blossomed.

As one who cherished God's creation, Mary found solace and joy in the simple pleasure of tending to her lawn, nurturing the earth beneath her feet. Her hands, though often soiled from the soil, were always ready to lift in praise as she worshiped with her church family at Wings of Deliverance Church. Mary's love for gospel music was a testament to her faith, a melody of devotion that echoed in her every action.

Mary Louis was a vessel of generosity, her heart a wellspring of love. She embodied the very essence of charity, and her life was a living sermon of the words of Jesus Christ, "It is more blessed to give than to receive" (Acts 20:35). Her spirit of giving knew no bounds, and she bestowed upon others not just material gifts, but the treasure of her presence, her time, and her unwavering support.

Her life was a tapestry woven with threads of faith, and she wore her love for her family like a garment of praise. The moments she shared with her loved ones were the jewels in her crown, memories that will forever sparkle in the hearts of those she leaves behind.

A celebration of Mary's life will be held at Sunset Funeral Home Chapel at 1:00 pm on Friday, January 5, 2024, with Rev. Charles Louis officiating. This service will be a testament to a life well-lived, an echo of the love she poured out, and a reflection of the faith that guided her every step. The family will receive friends from 4:00-5:00 pm on Thursday, January 4, 2024 in the Sunset Funeral Home Chapel.

Mary Louis was the embodiment of a loving, generous, and faith-filled soul. Her light will continue to shine in the lives of those she touched, a beacon of hope and love that transcends the boundaries of this earthly realm.

As we gather to honor Mary, let us remember that though her presence is missed, her spirit lives on. For as the Good Book tells us, "To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord" (2 Corinthians 5:8). And so, we take comfort in knowing that Mary Louis rests in the heavenly gardens, tended by the hand of God, forever blooming in eternal peace.