James "Jimmy" Louis Locke
James “Jimmy” Louis Locke, 62, of Charlottesville, VA, was reunited with his parents in heaven on Thursday, September 21, 2023. Born September 10, 1961, in Statesville, NC, he was the son of the late Louis Ray and Joyce Carson Locke of Charlottesville, VA. He was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents Charles Henry Carson and Ella Gibson Carson, of Madisonville, VA, and paternal grandparents Harold Flournoy Locke, Sr. and Amy Cross Locke, of Phenix, VA.
Jimmy loved music, singing, and playing the piano. If he was near a piano, people always asked him to sing “Your Feet’s Too Big” and the entertainment would begin. He also loved Broadway plays, especially musicals, and participated in many local productions at Four County Players and Live Arts. What he was most proud of was the USO Christmas programs he wrote and directed to pay tribute to family and other military members who were in past wars.
Jimmy was an alumnus of Robert E. Lee Elementary, Rock Hill Academy, and James Madison University. He was an avid reader with a passion for genealogy and cooking. He had volumes of notebooks with pictures and information about his ancestors. He enjoyed in-depth research so current family members could learn about their ancestry as well as helping friends with their family tree.
Jimmy had over 100 cookbooks and was a fantastic cook. He enjoyed learning about the foods of other places and different cultures. He would go all in with cookware, spices, unique flavorings, whatever was needed, and prepare the most delicious foods which he loved to share with others.
Family was the most important part of Jimmy’s life. He was a devoted son, brother, cousin, and lover of animals. He is survived by his sister, Patricia A. Locke, of Charlottesville, VA and many Carson and Locke cousins, all who loved him dearly. He is also survived by his fuzzy children Maestro, who never left his side and Tempo.
A graveside service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 14, at Monticello Memory Gardens with the Reverend Kim M. Jeffreys officiating. In lieu of flowers, memory donations may be made to the Charlottesville-Albemarle SPCA where Jimmy has adopted many cats from, CASPCA.org, or Madisonville Presbyterian Church where he was a treasured member, 1358 County Line Rd, Cullen, VA 23934. The church was built in 1907 by the Carson family.
Jimmy will be remembered as a kind-hearted and generous soul. He will be greatly missed by his “little big sis” and all who knew him, especially those who enjoyed his Facebook quips and his phone calls to “check in."
