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Dr. John “Joel” Locke

January 30, 1938 ~ September 8, 2021

Dr. John Joel Locke passed away on September 8, 2021 in Rocky Mount, North Carolina. Joel was born in Enfield, North Carolina and was the only child of John Sidney Locke and Gladys Rebecca Shearin. Joel grew up on the family farm during a time when small country towns were bustling with people, animals, commerce and excitement. As a young boy, he loved to hunt and fish. He was the starting pitcher on the high school baseball team as well as a tackle on the high school football team. Following high school, Joel attended North Carolina State College where he studied engineering and agriculture. While at school, Joel was a member of the Sigma Chi Fraternity. It was there that he met and married his wife, Jeanne Horton. After graduation, Joel returned to Halifax County and began farming in 1960. Soon, Joel was farming over 1,000 acres with thirty-five mules before he had a tractor. In 1966, while continuing to farm, Joel enrolled in dental school at the University of North Carolina. After completing dental school in 1970, he moved to Rocky Mount, North Carolina where he opened his dental practice. Joel was proud of being a founding member and recruiting other dentist to Rocky Mount to become one of the first practices in eastern North Carolina to service all major dental specialties under one roof. Joel was a founding member of the Miska Dental Study Club and has enjoyed close association with this group for over fifty years. Along the way, Joel obtained his general contractor's license and constructed homes in Rocky Mount and Emerald Isle North Carolina. In addition to his business interests, Joel was an avid outdoors man and loved hunting and fishing with his family and friends. He was a member of the Roanoke Tar River Hunting Club and Goat Neck Lodge and he took numerous trips with his friends to South Dakota, Alaska, and Argentina. Joel is survived by his wife Martha Jean Horton Locke and his four children, Leslie Stuart Locke Craft (Blount) of Greenville, John Horton Locke (Tara) of Atlanta, Stephen Gregory Locke (Lauren) of Charlotte and Michael Rembert Locke of Asheville. He was blessed with nine grandchildren; Rebecca Ellis Werner, Heather Stuart Werner, Elizabeth Owen Locke Franzetti (John), John Thomas Locke, Caroline Hudson Locke, Sydney Grace Locke, Addison Rose Locke, John Sawyer Locke, Oliver Michael Locke and one great grandchild, Amelia Grace Franzetti. A Celebration of Joel's Life will be held on Saturday, September 11, 2021 at 1:00 PM at Lakeside Baptist Church, 1501 Sunset Avenue, Rocky Mount, NC 27804 with Dr. Jody Wright officiating. A Reception at Benvenue Country Club will follow service. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the family is requesting the need for social distancing and wearing of masks due to health concerns faced around our nation at this time. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Joel's memory to at Lakeside Baptist Church, 1501 Sunset Avenue, Rocky Mount, NC 27804 or the charity of your choice. Arrangements entrusted to Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 1130 N. Winstead Avenue, Rocky Mount, NC 27804. You may share memories and condolences with the family by visiting www.wheelerwoodlief.com. Service Lakeside Baptist Church 1501 Sunset Avenue Rocky Mount, NC 27804 ID ) ); ?>"> --> 252-446-0126 --> | Saturday 9/11, 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm A Celebration of Joel's Life will be held on Saturday, September 11, 2021 at 1:00 PM at Lakeside Baptist Church, 1501 Sunset Avenue, Rocky Mount, NC 27804 with Dr. Jody Wright officiating. Reception Benvenue Country Club 100 Southern Blvd. Rocky Mount, NC 27804 Saturday 9/11, 2:00 pm A Reception at Benvenue Country Club will follow service.

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  1. Tom and I share your grief and loss. May God comfort you at this difficult time and give you strength and peace.

  2. Joel & I were great friends. We were near the same age. We enjoyed hunting and playing together. We both attended Eden Methodist Church and shared many fond memories later in llfe. Joel will certainly be missed. My condolences to Jeannie and the family. Jimmy Hardee

  3. I owe all my academic achievements in school to Joel. His mother and my mother were first cousins and competed with each other. So every time Joel & I had a test, my mother would ask what I made on it. The next question she asked was what did Joel make Joel & I we’re great friends as well as cousins. Mary Lois Hardee

  4. 2 great memories;4 of us spending 6+ months disecting a cadiver nicknamed Earnest”, so we could tell our wives we had been working in DEAD EARNEST, or, 4 of us riding back and forth to lillington,nc doing headstart dentistry for headstart children in stan fords old renault with a rewelded broken axel that shook like crazy! We worked very hard and enjoyed each other . i will miss my friend .Dick Anglin

  5. Jeanne, Leslie and family, we are so saddened with Joel’s passing. The memories with Joel are many and we are honored to have been a part of his journey. We are keeping you all close in prayer. May God wrap his arms around you and bring comfort in the days ahead.

  6. I met this gentle man many years ago at Emerald Isle. He was a straight-shooter, a kind man of considerable reputation and I enjoyed being around him. He was one of the good guys and I’m particularly glad we were able to visit this summer. He will be greatly missed.

  7. Leslie and Blount, and Mrs. Locke and Family, Lois and I send our deepest condolences and are so sorry for your loss! We had the please of getting to know your Dad at The Ihop at various times over the years. He was so friendly, kind and a joy to talk with. He is another one that has helped make Rocky Mount and Eastern NC a better place through all his various business practices and compassion for people. He will be missed by many of us. We are praying for You and The Family to give you strength and comfort during this time! Fred and Lois Adams

  8. Leslie, I am very sorry to hear about your father. My prayers are with you during this very difficult time. If there is anything I can do for you, please let me know. You are in my thoughts and prayers and I pray for God to give you peace. May He also give you comfort and strength. Cheryl Ann Landin Daughter of Patsy R Chadwick

  9. So sorry about Joel’s passing.Enjoyed seeing him at Enfield events.The last was he visited our house on Colonial Enfield Tour of homes in Tillery.

  10. Dr. Locke will be long honored for a truly hardworking American spirit and his meritorious dedication to betterment of community services & scholarship. Thank you, Dr. Locke. You are forever loved


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