Shirley Ann Lockhart

Heaven gained an angel, as our dear mother, Shirley Ann (Dowler) Lockhart, 82, the most wonderful mom in the world, passed away at 11:45pm, Tuesday, May 13, 2025, with her loving family by her side.

She was born July 14, 1942, in Wood County, WV, the daughter of the late Clarence C. Dowler and J. Evelyn (Amos) Dowler. She was a 1960 graduate of Parkersburg High School. On May 4, 1962, she married “the man of her dreams” and the love of her life, Harold R. Lockhart, who preceded her in death on January 18, 2013, after 50 years of marriage. Together they had four children, Beth Ann Buchman (Bradley), Sherry Lynn Farnsworth (Mark), Harold Ray “H.R.” Lockhart Jr. (Jodi) and Lori Diane Lockhart-Lott (Brian).

Mom was an outgoing, ornery, friendly and fun-loving person who never knew a stranger. She was quite the talker. That was a verified fact, as Dad always loved fondly and humorously recalling the time Mom talked to someone on the phone who mistakenly called the wrong number, for over 20 minutes! That was a classic Lockhart family story that may have happened more than once. Dad always credited this to her working as a telephone operator at C&P when she was just out of high school.

Her husband, children, grandchildren and family meant everything to her. She dedicated her life to caring for her family, always offering a big hug and unwavering support. She found joy in attending, and usually chauffeuring, her children’s sporting events. We’ll never forget the cowbell that Mom brought to and constantly rang at our brother’s baseball games. Mom’s car rides provided many fun, fond memories and sometimes, some near heart attacks. Her daughters and their friends each got to experience getting out of and running around the family station wagon at a stoplight or two. (Usually, it was the one at the bottom of the hill on Blizzard Drive.)

She once allowed her second oldest child to lock the oldest out of the car during an early morning (4 am) newspaper delivery. The car horn may, or may not have, woken up the entire neighborhood.

Mom was always on the go, and ready to hit the road. She loved going to Myrtle Beach every summer for family vacations, and in later years, a second annual beach trip over the Labor Day holiday with Dad. She also enjoyed family camping trips to the mountains when the kids were younger. On one trip, she was rushing around last-minute (as she always did) and forgot to pack warm clothes for herself but made sure that everyone else had their jeans, flannel shirts and coats packed up. Dad chuckled at her error but was more than happy to share his clothes with her. That was just Mom; always taking care of her family before herself.

Mom was always the life of the party; she had an infectious laugh and an ornery side that was undeniable. She loved laughing at funny jokes but couldn’t tell one if her life depended on it.

Mom enjoyed being a stay-at-home mom until her youngest daughter was in grade school. Around this time, she worked part-time at Full’s Hallmark Store in the Gihon Village shopping center. She later started a nearly 25-year career as a Tax Deputy with the Wood County Sheriff’s Tax Office. Being a “people-person”, she was always at her window bright and early, happily greeting those who were begrudgingly paying their taxes. She very much enjoyed her time at the Tax Office and loved her tax office family. Nearly everyone she came into contact with usually left with a smile on their face (even though they didn’t have one when they first walked in the door) and a new friend.

Mom was the ultimate caregiver, raising her children and providing care to her mother and later on to her husband. That was her passion in life: taking care of those she loved. She was the perfect wife, daughter and Mom.

In addition to her children and their spouses, she is survived by the apples of her eye, her pride and joy, her grandchildren: Mitchell (Amy) Buchman, Natalie (Nate) Arnold; Lauren (Matthias) Everhart; Emily Farnsworth; Luke (Olivia) Farnsworth; Abigail, John and Matthew Farnsworth; Marcus Whited; Allie Lockhart; and great grandson Rune Whited. Her grandchildren were the lights of her life. Always an animal lover, Mom is also survived by her fur babies, kitties Hazel and Farmer.

In addition to her husband and parents, she was also preceded in death by an infant brother, James Arthur (1949), and infant sister, Terri Lynn (1959).

Funeral services will be conducted at 1pm, Tuesday, May 20, 2025 at Lambert Tatman Funeral Home, Pike St., south Parkersburg, with the Rev. Erik Nielsen officiating. Burial will follow at Evergreen South Cemetery. Visitation will be on Monday, May 19th from 2-4pm and 6-8pm at the funeral home, and on Tuesday, May 20th one hour prior to the service.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Shirley’s honor to the Humane Society of Parkersburg.

Our precious Mom is now reunited with Dad and her family in Heaven. We couldn’t have asked for a more beautiful, perfect, fun, loving, and wonderful Mom. Our hearts are broken over losing you, but we know you are with Dad now and proudly watching over us. You were, without a doubt, the absolute best Mom in the world. We will forever miss you. “Love you more.”