DR. RAYMOND J. LOCKETT

Four Corners, La., a rural village in St. Mary’s Parish served as the birthplace of Raymond Jacob Lockett on November 8, 1935. The eldest child of Jacob and Velma Lockett, he was baptized at St. Peter Catholic Church and educated in the parochial and public schools of parish. While in school, Raymond was active in many clubs and sports teams including the football, track and baseball teams as well as participating in the drama club and choir.
In the summer of 1953, he was admitted into the accelerated academic program at Southern University in Baton Rouge, La. While at Southern, Raymond continued to be active in extracurricular activities. A member of the R.O.T.C. program, he served as the commander of the famed drill team and was a co-captain of the track team and president of the Newman Club. In November of 1954 Raymond was initiated into the Alpha Sigma Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity.
Upon graduating from Southern with a degree in Education, he served in the United States Army. He left the Army as 1st lieutenant and returned to St. Mary Parish to teach. At Willow Street School, Raymond taught social studies and served as the school track coach.
Willow Street was also where he met Alene Banks. On June 8, 1962 they were united in holy matrimony. From this union two children were born, Sonya Denise and Tammy Marie.
In his social studies classroom, Raymond taught his students to question everything and to defend what they believed in. He lived that adage and as a member of the St. Mary Parish community, he fought for the inclusion of African Americans in the power structure of the parish. As a member of Citizens for Action, he helped to sponsor the first group of African American political candidates in Franklin, La. since Reconstruction. The following year Raymond served as the campaign manager for all African American candidates running for office in the parish. He was also a founding member of the Anti-Poverty Council serving as its first president. Raymond’s work with the Citizens for Action and Anti-Poverty Council served as the catalyst responsible for the desegregation of hotels, restaurants, food stores and other establishments in Franklin, La.
Later, Raymond received a fellowship to study in the first African American studies program at Southern University where he received his second Master’s degree, an M.A. in Social Studies with a specialization in Black Studies. His first Masters in Education was awarded a few years earlier. After the completion of his second M.A., Lockett received a fellowship to attend the University of Colorado at Boulder where he received his Education doctorate.
He taught for a short stint at Kansas State University before returning to Southern University as an assistant professor of history. For the next 40 years, he served as a professor and then chairman of the History Department. He was instrumental in initiating the Black History month program at Southern and served as its chair for 30 years. He also worked to start African American historical studies programs in the surrounding communities. For 18 years, he organized global cultural excursions for students and community members to expand their knowledge and appreciation of different customs and cultures. His legacy boasts a number of students who have received masters in social science and doctorates in history as well as law degrees. While at Southern, he served as the Vice-President and President of the University’s Faculty Senate. In 2012, he was inducted into the Southern University Sports Hall of Fame.
Active in Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity since his initiation, Raymond was a charter member of the Opelousas Alumni Chapter. During his years in the chapter he has served as the Dean of Pledges and had three different terms as Polemarch. He was the advisor to the Alpha Sigma Chapter at Southern University for 15 years and served as Administrative Assistant for the Province Polemarch of the Southwestern Region.
Lockett was an active member of St. Paul Catholic Church having served as Parish Council President, Men’s Choir President and Grand Knight of St Paul’s Knights of Peter Claver. He is also active member of the Kwans Club of Baton Rouge.
Raymond departed this life on Sunday, October 21, 2018. Greeting him at the time of his transition were his parents Jacob and Velma; brothers Aubrey and Nolan; sister Jacqueline; stepmother Alice Clay; sister-in-laws Lillie Smith, Joyce Lockett and Mary Lee Johnson; brother-in-laws Reverend Clifton Smith and Melvin Johnson; and treasured loved ones. He leaves to rejoice his memory his devoted wife, Alene; children Sonya Denise Lockett and Dr. Tammy Lockett Benjamin; son-in-law Dr. Eric Benjamin; granddaughters Olivia Mae Benjamin and Sophia Lovie Benjamin; brothers John and Michael Lockett; sisters Cresie Page and Bernadette Thomas; brother-in-law Michael Thomas; a host of nieces, nephews and godchildren; and many cherished relatives and friends.