Catherine Lockhart

Catherine McKnight-Lockhart 86 of Fresno, California formerly of Augusta, passed away on Saturday February 11 at Clovis Community Hospital in Clovis, California.

Catherine was born May 30, 1936 in Gregory, Arkansas to Mathew McKnight and Nellie Collier-McKnight.

Catherine received her early education from the Gregory and Augusta Public Schools, for which she earned her high school diploma.

" Cat" as Catherine was affectionately known, was a devout member of New Birth Evangelistic Center Church in Fresno, California since 2000, under the leadership of Pastor Sheryl Bowden. She had previously been a member of Cross Temple Church of God In Christ also in Fresno, under the leadership of Pastor Wayne Bynum until the church closed its doors in 1995. As a child, she and her family were members of Walnut Grove Missionary Baptist Church in Gregory.

Catherine was the widow of the late Earl Lockhart S. who she married in 1951. To this union 11 children were born.

Catherine was a homemaker. She had also worked as a domestic and as a cook at Jerry Smith Café' in Augusta, Arkansas for several years.

Her husband, three children: David Lockhart, Opal White, and Arthur Lee Lockhart Jr.; her parents: Matthew McKnight and Nellie McKnight; five siblings: Mary Lee McKnight-Randolph, Nathan Lockwood, Isadee Lockwood-Valentine, Matthew McKnight Jr. and Johnnie McKnight all preceded Catherine in death.

Survivors are: four sons: Earl Lockhart Jr., Jackie (Gwen) Lockhart and James Lockhart all of Fresno CA; and Rickey (Linda) Lockhart of San Antonio, TX ; her godson Columbus Williams of Fresno CA; three daughters: Rita Jones, Everlener Smith, Mary (Henry) McGee all of Fresno ,CA; 40 grandchildren, 89 great grandchildren, 46 great great grandchildren; a sister Josie Richardson of Chicago, Ill; a brother-in-law Robert Lee Lockhart of Oakland CA; three sisters-in-law: Lucille Smith and Ruthie Mae Lockhart both of Fresno CA; and Teretha Durham of Brinkley AR; and a host of other relatives and friends.

Viewing will be March 4th, 2023 from 10:00 AM- until 11:00 AM at Holy Ghost Academy Church of God in Christ, 927 South 4th Street in Augusta. Funeral services will be held promptly at 11 AM with Elder Willie Clark officiating. Interment will take place at Buckeye Cemetery at Gregory by C.J. Williams Funeral Directors And Cremations of Brinkley (870) 589-5036 email: williamsfuneraldirectors2022@gmail.com and website: williamsfuneraldirectors.net

Pallbearers are: Adolph Gilcrease, Richard White Sr., Lonnie Smith, Jackie Wynne, Rob Smith and Robert Lockhart.