Wilma Kathryn (Boatright) Locke

Wilma Kathryn Locke, “Kay”, born on April 20, 1927, passed away on January 20, 2022 exactly three months from what would be her 95th birthday. She was the daughter of Beulah “Memo” and Robert Boatright and the granddaughter of Mollie Taylor Green and “Papa Green.” Raised by her mother, Beulah D. Boatright and growing up in Hillsboro, Texas with three siblings: her older sister, Robbye, her little sister Joyce, and her brother William “Bill” – whom they all called “Son” – Wilma Kathryn Locke was surrounded by much love.

She is survived by her daughter Lynda Locke James, Lynda’s husband Danny, and their two children Dr. Brian James and Dr. Katie James Smith with Dan Smith, and Kay’s great-grandchild Devyn Smith. She is also survived by a large family of nieces and nephews who cherished her, including Nancy Eagan (daughter of Kay’s brother Bill Boatright), Henry (Pete) Desmarais and Larry Desmarais (sons of Kay’s sister Robbye), and John, Jeff, David Pollard (sons of Kay’s sister Joyce), and a wealth of their spouses and children. Loved ones and family also include Wilson James, Sharon K James, and his mother Jenny James, Larry and Jan Yancey’s children Nicole Madison, Joey Desmarais, and Charles Desmarais and Pete and Barbara with their children Christine Williams, Joyce Kay Obenshain and Robert Michael Desmarais are among a wealth of family members who loved her.

Wilma Kathryn “Kay”, was lovingly known by her nieces and nephews as “Bimby” and by her grandchildren as “Nonnie.” Kay grew up in the Christian faith, attending the local Baptist church in Hillsboro, Texas, where she also went to school. As an adult, Kay moved to Dallas, where she and her husband Hershel Locke lived for many years. She also traveled with him and included her daughter Lynda in their travels. Kay eventually moved to Plano, Texas to help her daughter and son-in-law raise their two grandchildren, Katie James, and Brian James. She poured her life into their care. Kay had desired to provide a nice home for them and excellent educational opportunities for her grandchildren so that they could have a successful future. This proved to be fruitful as her grandchildren both became doctors.

Everywhere Kay went she knew no strangers. Accompanying her to her favorite restaurant was an experience in and of itself. At the moment she entered the establishment, the attendees would stop in the midst of their work and, with smiles beaming, greet her with a resounding “Kay!” It was a guarantee that several times during the meal the staff including management would come and sit with Kay a while, laughing with her and enjoying fascinating conversation. She engaged with all ages, genuinely interested in what was going on in their lives.

It was a pleasure and a privilege to watch her in her generosity of affection and love for everyone in her life – a life filled with love and a life well loved by so many.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 12, 2022, at Ridge Park Cemetery in Hillsboro.  Visitation will be held from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. Saturday, February 12, at Marshall & Marshall Funeral Directors in Hillsboro.

From Nancy Boatright Eagan, Niece:

Aunt Wilma was like a second Mother to me.

One day Mother suddenly told me she would not be able to pick me up from Kiest Elementary School that afternoon, so I had to walk home. I was one who carried all of my school books home every day. This afternoon I made it about half way and struggling, when Aunt Wilma suddenly drove up and said, “I knew that was you from your walk!” I had never been so glad to see someone.

Further along this time at Robert E Lee Elementary (the school I had transferred to across the street from Aunt Wilma’s house before we moved closer to her):  It was the day of the cheerleader trials. As we went down the steps to the driveway, Aunt Wilma was at the door wishing us, “Good Luck” – And I won!

Then there was the time I had my first major surgery, the summer before I started college. I was struggling through the worse day ever when Aunt Wilma walked in with a silver-grey stuffed poodle. (She loved poodles.) It was all uphill from then on.

My mother would always say, “Wilma is a good person.” And Mothers are always right!

One time in the 60’s, Aunt Wilma, Mother, Lynda and I took off on a trip to Florida to meet up with my Dad who was working there. We struck out and eventually ended up traveling through the southern states on these dark, woodsy, scary roads at night where it was pitch black all around. At one point we noticed a car following us for a long time. It seemed like it kept getting closer and closer behind us. We were getting really spooked (being four women alone) so we pulled into a gas station. The car pulled up right behind us. The man got out of the car, came up to us and said, “Why are you going so fast? We’re trying to keep up with you. It’s scary as blank blank blank blank out here!”

I remember one time Herschel told Kay they had to leave for an event one hour ahead of the actual time that they needed to, so she would be ready to leave at the correct time.

Aunt Wilma’s recipe for coffee:
One half cup of coffee
One half cup of milk
Three teaspoons of sugar

There will never be another one like her. I will treasure her forever.

Nancy Boatright Eagan (Niece)