Julia Ann Locke
December 21, 1938 ~ December 7, 2024
Born in:
Bluefield, WV
Resided in:
Asheville, NC
Julia Locke was a teacher. It is not only what she did, it is what she was, and is. It was her calling.
She was the teacher almost every child feared on the first day of school and revered by the last. She read aloud to her classes every day, introducing them to A Wrinkle in Time, and The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe; reading with expression and voices for each character. Homework was to be turned in first thing when her students entered the classroom every morning, with no exceptions! She dressed as a professional every day. Though retired for twenty years, we still hear from former students and their parents that she was their favorite.
Julia Ann Locke, of Asheville, died at her home December 7, 2024 after a lengthy illness. Her children were honored to be with her in her final days. She was born December 21, 1938 in Bluefield, WV to Lloyd F. Locke and Vista B. Locke. She was preceded in death by her brother William L. Locke, and later by her parents.
The example set by Julia’s fifth grade teacher inspired her to pursue a teaching career, and she never wavered from that plan. Following graduation from Lee Edwards High School in 1956, she earned degrees from Mars Hill College and The Women’s College of the University of North Carolina.
She taught at Vance Elementary School, before staying home to nurture her young family. Her natural creativity, coupled with a desire to learn new skills, enabled her to create a beautiful, inviting home for her family and friends. When her youngest started school, she taught Kindergarten at First Baptist Church Asheville.
From 1973 to 1986, her family lived in Taiwan, where Julia taught children from every corner of the world at Morrison Academy, while also earning a master’s degree from Azusa Pacific University. She served on the boards of Kaohsiung Community Church and the Taiwan Scoliosis Fund, which provided corrective surgeries for children who had suffered from polio.
In 1986, Julia returned to Asheville, teaching at Jones and Randolph Elementary Schools. In 1994, she was nominated for Teacher of the Year for Asheville City Schools. Following her retirement in 2004, she delighted in being active in many areas of ministry and fellowship at First Baptist Church.
Julia is beloved by her family: daughter, Susan Sluder Peckham and husband John of Colorado Springs, CO; her son, David Boettcher of Asheville; grandson, John Brook Peckham and wife Erynn, and granddaughter, Catherine Locke Peckham, all of Colorado Springs, CO; and many friends all over the world.
It seemed fitting to honor Julia’s life as an educator by allowing her to enter the classroom once more. Julia’s body has been donated to the Anatomical Gifts Program at Duke University School of Medicine, where she will be a silent teacher to students pursuing careers in medicine.
Julia believed that the end of life in this world marks the beginning of life in a new, far better world. Though she appeared dead, she is now the most alive she has ever been!
We will celebrate her life with joy on Monday, December 30, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. in the Chapel of First Baptist Church Asheville, 5 Oak Street, Asheville, NC 28801. A time to receive friends will be held after the service. If you wish to make a gift in Julia’s memory, we invite you to consider the Helene Recovery Fund of First Baptist Church Asheville.
We are grateful for those who journeyed with us through Julia’s illness — Dr. Anna Bartow; Dr. Della Simon and her team at MemoryCare; caregivers Garren Ivers and Sujata Limbu; and Four Seasons Hospice.
Groce Funeral Home on Patton Avenue is assisting the family.
Services
Celebration of Life: December 30, 2024 11:00 am
First Baptist Church of Asheville
5 Oak Street
Asheville, NC 28801
(828)252-4781
Funeral Home Assisting The Family:
Groce Funeral Home - Patton Ave.
1401 Patton Ave.
Asheville, NC 28806
(828)252-3535
http://www.grocefuneralhome.com
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Julia and I were friends for such a long time . We had good times together. We worked together. We had our daughters about the same time. I remember one time when we were young we went to a meeting and they served Russian tea and Julia said, “No wonder we’re at war with Russia.” Not that funny but we laughed until we cried.
I admired her so much. She was such a lady, such a wonderful teacher and she was beautiful inside and out.
My sadness is because we lost contact after we retired. Go in peace, Julia . I am so glad I knew you.