After 95 years of a life well-lived, Helen Charlene (Albright) Lockhart passed away peacefully on September 1, 2019, with her boys by her side. Charlene was born to Edna and Ewing Albright on April 16, 1924 and spent her early life on the family farm in the small rural community of Neptune, Tennessee. Upon moving to nearby Nashville, she met and married Jack R. Lockhart. They were married for 65 years until Jack’s death.
Charlene, Jack, and family settled in Huntsville in 1965, when Jack’s work with TVA brought them to Alabama. They remained in Huntsville for 50 years until moving to Birmingham late in life. While it was hard for her to leave her home and friends, her dedication to caring for Jack and the need to be in close proximity to family helped ease the decision and she bore the burden of change with good spirits.
While Charlene was first and always a wife and mother who was devoted to her family, she also worked outside the home. She helped organize and served as the first director of the preschool day care for the First United Methodist Church of Huntsville, of which she and Jack were long-time members. She was also a dedicated volunteer with many years of service to Huntsville Hospital and the Red Cross.
Charlene was loving, caring, compassionate, and believed in helping others before helping herself. She continued to do so even as age was starting to take its toll, wanting to make sure that everyone else was taken care of and that their needs were met. She loved her family and friends, and the love and compassion she shared is a cherished memory and an inspiration. Her passing will leave a permanent hole in the hearts of all that knew and loved her.
She is survived by her sons, Jim, Charley, and Andy; their spouses, Mary Lee, Julie, and LaRue; and grandchildren, Rachel, Lauren, Alexandra, and Drew.
Visitation will be from 12 noon to 1 p.m. on Thursday, September 5 in the Chapel of the First United Methodist Church of Huntsville, 120 Greene Street. The funeral service will follow at the church with the Rev. Coy Hallmark officiating. Interment will be in Maple Hill Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association in the names of Charlene and Jack.
