Angela Lockhart

Angela Strickland Lockhart, age 70, of Birmingham, AL passed away October 7, 2024. Angela was preceded in death by her father, George Walter Strickland. She is survived by her mother, Jo Frances Harper Strickland; husband of 47 years, Dwight Lockhart; children, Lauren Lockhart and Trevor Lockhart; granddaughter, Skylar Smith; brother, Scott Strickland; sister, Windy Strickland and a host of beloved relatives. 

Angela was born May 26, 1954, in Tuscaloosa, Alabama to Walter and Jo Frances Strickland. She was the first born of three children. As she was born into a military family, she spent many years of her young life in various locations, including, Germany, Alabama, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, and Tennessee. She attended many different schools throughout her young years and said many times she felt her life had been enriched by living in various locations. She graduated from Trezevant High School in Memphis, Tennessee in 1972. She attended Memphis State upon graduation. She later transferred to the University of Tennessee and graduated magna cum laude with a bachelor’s in social work in 1975. She worked for one year and decided to pursue an advanced degree. She obtained her master’s in social work from the University of Alabama in 1977. She accomplished her undergraduate and graduate degrees in a four-year period. Angela later also obtained a Learning Therapist Certificate from Southern Methodist University in 1999 in Dallas, TX.

Angela began her social work career with the Eastside Mental Health Center in Birmingham, Alabama, working one year before returning to school to earn her master’s degree. She then resumed her career at Eastside Mental Health Center in the Asheville, Alabama office as a clinical therapist. While serving clients in that office, she wrote a column for a local newspaper dealing with mental health issues. In 1979, she and husband moved to Dallas, Texas. She continued her social work career with the Convalescent Center and Family Guidance Center in downtown Dallas where she served as a clinical therapist, assisting individuals and families with their psychological needs.

While in Dallas, Angela and Dwight had two children. Lauren and Trevor. Angela postponed her career and focused her attention on her family. She truly poured herself into motherhood, much as she had done with her academics and career previously. Angela was an ever-present mother in all aspects of the lives of her children, and she always kept their best interests at the forefront of her mind. After their daughter survived a major illness in 2000, the family decided to return to Alabama in 2001 to live near family. 

Angela returned to her career in 2002 with Brewer-Porch Children’s Center, which was part of the University of Alabama. While there, she developed and conducted training sessions for the professional staff. Angela left Brewer-Porch in 2012 as the Director of Training to pursue her desire to teach at the University of Alabama in the School of Social Work. She enjoyed collaborating with colleagues and being able to engage with and help students as they pursued their academic and career goals. She retired from her teaching position in December 2019 but continued part-time assisting the School of Social Work with field placements. 

She was a confidant, adviser, friend, and would readily provide hugs to her husband and to her children and grandchild as they grew into adulthood. Angela’s devotion to her family had no limitations. She always put her family first over her own needs and wants. She also greatly helped in raising her granddaughter, Skylar, and enjoyed the time she had with her as she grew up. She tried to instill her values in her family and helped them all to make a good life for themselves. In her recent years, her caretaking broadened to include taking on the selfless task of providing caretaking for her mother and assisting part-time in her brother’s care. This spanned three consecutive years post-retirement. She and her sister lived together and worked in unison with one another to provide non-stop care.

There was almost no task too big or too small for Angela to undertake; she had the intelligence, drive, and perseverance to do anything. From building a retaining wall around the backyard, installing a sprinkler system, laying tile, and designing outdoor gardens, to sewing clothing, costumes, and meticulous needlepoint projects, she would tackle and complete them all.

Angela loved a great many things and had diverse interests. She was an avid reader and more recently, a listener of audio books. She possessed a large collection of books that she loved and truly felt were a part of her. She was no stranger to technology and was not hesitant to use it. Starting from the early days of the Macintosh to current day technology, she wanted as much technology as she could get, a trait her son and granddaughter inherited from her. She loved photography and video recording and would spend hours scanning and editing photos and videos. 

Angela had a circle of friends from various states that she had befriended during different periods of her life. She maintained contact with them throughout her life. She valued them and cherished her time with them. They will all be remembered along with her family. 

Visitation will be Friday, Oct. 18th, at 1 p.m. at Jennings Chapel Church with services to follow at 2:00 p.m. Pastor Bobby Boothe and Pastor Sheree Elliott will be officiating. The graveside service and burial will follow at Jennings Chapel Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Brooks Brown, Peter Brunette, Jerril Jones, Pat Lockhart, John Phillips, and Charles Swann.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to your charity of choice.