The legacy of Dorothy Lynn Lockhart (Logan), began on Monday, Oct. 14, 1918, in Hot Springs, Ark. when she was born the youngest child of five to Edward Swinburne Lockhart Sr. and Birdie Mildred Clark Lockhart.
On Friday, Feb. 1, 2019, Dorothy Logan, after 100 years, 3 months and 18 days, a life well lived came to an end, and a new chapter began. Mother answered the long-awaited call from the Lord and “She’s resting peacefully until Jesus comes”. She was surrounded by the comfort of her daughters, Mildred and Eloise who never left her alone. Those completing the journey before her include her aforementioned parents; her beloved husband, Alphonso Logan; her siblings, Lois Lockhart, Bernice Pearl Williams, her twin brothers, Clark and Edward Lockhart Jr; granddaughter, Vastoria Grant; and great grandson, Walter Grant IV.
Our mother married our father, Alphonso Logan in 1942. Their union was blessed with four daughters. They shared 60 wonderful years until his passing, Dec. 23, 2002.
Education was very important in the Lockhart family. Our grandmother was an educator in Milan, Tenn. and our grandfather was the owner and editor of “The Echo” which circulated in Hot Springs from 1905-1942. Mother attended the Historic Langston High School, graduating in 1935. After graduating she attended St. Augustine College in Raleigh N.C., where she earned a Bachelor of Art degree in English in 1939. She later attended Atlanta University School of Library Science in Atlanta, Ga. where she earned a Master of Science in Library Science degree in 1957. She returned home and taught 1st-5th grade in the rural community of Flatwood from 1939-1940. She would then continue her teaching career at Langston High School and began teaching English, History, and French from 1941-1944. In 1944 she moved to Tuskegee, Ala. with her husband who was at that time serving in the United States Air Force during WWII. He also coached the Tuskegee Air Force football team. She taught 4th-5th grade until 1945. They later relocated back to Hot Springs in 1949 where she returned to her alma mater and was the librarian. After integration, Mother began working for Hot Springs High School. She retired after teaching a total of 35 years including her time in Flatwood School. Think it not strange that our parents, Dorothy and Alphonso Logan, as well as our grandmother were educators, that three of their daughters, Sybil, Mildred and Eloise became educators as well as Rachael being a nurse.
Mother served in various activities, both civic and social events. She initiated and sponsored the Black History Club at Hot Springs High School and she contributed the following articles, which appeared in the Hot Springs Historical Society Publication, “A History of Blacks in Hot Springs prior to Integration” and “The History of Langston High School”. She received several special awards including, but not limited to the Martin Luther King Jr. Award, Dedicated Alumni Service Award, St. Augustine College, University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, “Persistence of the Spirit” Posthumous award on behalf of her father for his work as editor and owner of the Hot Springs Echo, The NAACP Lifetime Achievement Award from the local NAACP Chapter No. 6013, The Harold W. Flowers Law Society Community Award, The UZURI Project, Webb Community Center, The Williams Education Center Award, and The Elks Lodge Volunteer Award. Mother, along with our father, and others co-chaired and founded the Langston School Reunion with the first one being held in 1980. The reunion began with over 700 in attendance. Mother attended every reunion and has outlived all of her classmates as well as many of her students.
Having faith in God was a must in the Logan household. Mother was a long-time member of Sharon Seventh Day Adventist Church. She would be seen on the Sabbath adorned in her suits, complete with a matching hat and lest we forget, her high heel shoes. She had a strong belief in her faith. She believed that, “It Pays to Serve Jesus”. She credited her longevity to much prayer and clean living. She received special awards from her local church and the Southwest Region Conference of Seventh Day Adventists. Of all the rewards that have been bestowed on her nothing will compare to the reward she will receive when she sees Jesus.
Oct. 14, 2018, was a special day for Dorothy L. Logan, it was the day she had longed for, to become 100 years young. As plans were being made the count was growing, and growing and growing, so was her anticipation. She was so excited to be blessed with 100 years. The day of the party her anxiety tried to get the best of her, but her family did not allow that to happen. Upon entering the Parish Hall of St. Mary’s Catholic Church, the room was filled with love, laughter, joy as well as tears. Mother could not believe that some 250 people cared that much for her. Her heart was overwhelmed as she enjoyed the words of encouragement, songs, proclamations, prayers, food, fellowship and oh yes, the Interpretive Dance (I Won’t Complain) and meeting so many people who had come from far and near to witness what the Lord had done.
Although we will miss our beloved, we do not mourn as others who have no hope, for we believe that a day of rejoicing will soon come. Until that time her memory will forever be cherished in the heart of her daughters; Sybil Buford of Chicago, Ill., Rachael Grant of Fayetteville, Ark., Mildred Summerville and Eloise Natt, both of Hot Springs, Ark.; nine grandchildren, Joel Middleton, Wanice Buford, Valerie Grant, Vivian Grant, Walter Grant III, Alphonso Grant, Tequira “TK” Natt, Courtney Lemons and Kenderick Summerville; 19 great-grandchildren and eight great-great grandchildren; a host of former students, church family and friends.
“Well done thou faithful servant, To God Be the Glory”
A time to celebrate her homegoing will be 11:30 a.m., Monday, Feb. 11, 2019 at Visitors Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church, 319 Church St., Hot Springs, AR. Burial will follow in the family plot in Friendship Cemetery.
Visitation will be from 3-5 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 10, 2019 at Sharon Seventh Day Adventist Church, 223 Silver St., Hot Springs, AR.
Guest registry is at http://www.carriganmemorial.com.
Arrangements are entrusted to Carrigan Memorial Funeral Services.