A HOUSE RESOLUTION honoring the life and memory of Sidney alvin Locks, Jr., former member of the general assembly.
Whereas, Sidney Alvin Locks, Jr., was born on February 5, 1949, in Opelousas, Louisiana to Reverend Sidney Alvin Locks, Sr., and Gloria Harris Locks; and
Whereas, Sidney Locks, Jr., received a Bachelor of Arts in Religion and Philosophy in 1971 from Wiley College (now Wiley University) in Marshall, Texas and a Masters of Divinity in Theological and Ministerial Studies in 1975 from the Interdenominational Theological Center (Morehouse School of Religion); and
Whereas, Sidney Locks, Jr., served as pastor of Sandy Grove Baptist Church in Lumberton, North Carolina from January 1975 to December 1989; and
Whereas, in 1989, Sidney Locks, Jr., became pastor of the Cornerstone Missionary Baptist Church in Greenville, North Carolina, a position from which he retired in May 2012; and
Whereas, over the course of his more than two decades as pastor of Cornerstone, Sidney Locks, Jr., made it the church's mission to generate all of its income from tithing so as to eliminate the need for special fundraising and to allow them to focus on their spiritual work; and
Whereas, since March 15, 1995, Sidney Locks, Jr., served as a commissioned North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicle registration contractor; and
Whereas, in 1998, the church erected a 7,000 square foot Child Development Center to serve 150 children and families; and
Whereas, in September 1999 after Hurricane Floyd, Cornerstone become a regional and national distribution center lead agency for disaster donations; and
Whereas, in 1999, Sidney Locks, Jr., was a cofounder of LIFE of NC, Inc., (also known as "STRIVE") a nonprofit organization in Greenville, North Carolina that assists in employment training initiatives and reentry efforts to aid those reentering the community from area detention centers; and
Whereas, in 2014, Sidney Locks, Jr., joined Mt. Calvary Freewill Baptist Church, and served as its associate pastor and dean of education; and
Whereas, Sidney Locks, Jr., served as president of the Black Ministers' Conference and was chair of the General Baptist State Convention; and
Whereas, Sidney Locks, Jr., was the founder and chief executive officer of the nonprofit organization Transforming Christian Ministries, Inc., with the mission to reverse spiritual, economic, health, and social disparities that plagued communities in eastern North Carolina, which Healthy Live Healthy Choices, Body of Christ Development Ministries, and Eastern North Carolina Donor Impact Project operated under, assisting thousands of North Carolinians; and
Whereas, Sidney Locks, Jr., served with honor and distinction as a member of the General Assembly in the House of Representatives for four terms between 1983 and 1990; and
Whereas, as a member of the House of Representatives, Sidney Locks, Jr., made contributions in many capacities, including serving as chair of the Human Resources Subcommittee on Aging, Medicaid, and Facility Services and vice‑chair of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Base and Expansion Budget on Human Resources; and
Whereas, Sidney Locks, Jr., was one of the original 16 members of the Legislative Black Caucus, which was established in 1984; and
Whereas, Sidney Locks, Jr., served as a member of the Robeson County School Board, chair of the Lumberton Human Relations Commission, a member of the Advisory Board of First Citizens Bank, and a board member of the Heart of Eastern North Carolina; and
Whereas, Sidney Locks, Jr., was a member of several fraternal organizations, including Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., the Masons, and Alpha Phi Omega Fraternity, Inc.; and
Whereas, Sidney Locks, Jr., was recognized on numerous occasions for his contributions to his community, including being named one of the outstanding Young Men of America in 1981 and Pitt County's 2000 Citizen of the Year, and receiving the Best‑Irons Humanitarian Award in 2000; and
Whereas, Sidney Locks, Jr., was the epitome of public service and spiritual leadership, and always "lived what he preached"; and
Whereas, Sidney Locks, Jr., died on May 29, 2020, at the age of 71; and
Whereas, Sidney Locks, Jr., is survived by his wife of 47 years, Carol Ann Locks; his four children, Sidney Locks, Frederick Locks, Odetta Locks Brown, and James Locks; six grandchildren, Cade Alexander, Sidney Gabriel, Sydney Joy, Sophya Julianna, Tyra Renee, and Aaron Jamal; and two sisters, Reverend Charlotte Locks and Mrs. Martha Levine; Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:
SECTION 1.  The House of Representatives honors the life of Sidney Alvin Locks, Jr., pastor and former member of the North Carolina House of Representatives, and expresses its appreciation for the service he rendered to his congregations, community, and State.
SECTION 2.  The House of Representatives extends its deepest sympathy to the family of Sidney Alvin Locks, Jr., for the loss of a beloved family member.
SECTION 3.  The Principal Clerk shall transmit a copy of this resolution to the family of Sidney Alvin Locks, Jr.
SECTION 4.  This resolution is effective upon adoption.