Veda Levina Locke, 94 years, passed away on April 28, 2024, in Springfield, Missouri. Veda was born on November 8, 1929, near Shirley, Arkansas, to the late William Anderson Williams, and Beulah Viola Williams. The Williams family moved to Missouri in 1937, and Veda grew up on their farm near Alton, Missouri. She attended Alton High School and Southwest Baptist College, Bolivar, Missouri, eventually earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education.

Veda accepted Christ as her Savior at 12 years of age, and made public her surrender to God's call to missions in 1950. While teaching school near Butler, Missouri, Veda met Russell Lloyd Locke, and they were married on January 13, 1951, at First Baptist Church, Rogersville, Missouri. Russell and Veda moved to New Orleans, Louisiana, in May 1951, to attend New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, where Veda earned a Bachelor of Religious Education degree. Their two oldest children, Judith Levina and Martin Anderson, were born in New Orleans while Russell and Veda finished seminary and served to establish the First Baptist Church, Luling, Louisiana.

On May 12, 1955, Russell and Veda were appointed as Southern Baptist missionaries to Nigeria. A four-week trip on a freighter from New York City culminated in their arrival in Lagos, Nigeria, on October 14, 1955. Their first tour of duty in Nigeria was in Port Harcourt, where their second son, Stephen Russell, was born. They moved to Owerri, where they spent many years of service. During their time in Owerri, they welcomed sons Charles James and Alan Judson.

In 1979, Russell and Veda moved to Ibadan where Russell worked as the Executive Secretary of the Baptist Mission in Nigeria and then as Director of the Evangelism and Stewardship Department of the Nigerian Baptist Convention. The Lockes remained in Ibadan until 1991 when they retired after 36 years of missionary service.

Retirement years were spent in Springfield, Missouri. Russell and Veda enjoyed 54 wonderful years together until Russell passed away in August 2005.

While Veda was in Nigeria, opportunities abounded for her to apply her gifts in many ways. She homeschooled all of her children; hosted innumerable guests passing through their mission station; was active in girl's and women's ministries; edited church literature; wrote several articles and books; and wrote over 100 devotionals based on her missionary experience.

During retirement, Veda was active in her church, First Baptist, Springfield, as a Sunday School teacher, with visitation, and in leading small prayer groups. She continued to promote involvement in missions through the Women's Missionary Union and speaking opportunities. Veda received the Life Service Award from Southwest Baptist University in 2015. Veda loved spending time with her family, where her and Russell's home in Springfield was a hub of frequent family gatherings.

In addition to her parents and husband, Veda was preceded in death by her brothers-in-law Don Locke, Bill Locke, and Gordon Oliver; sisters-in-law Grace Locke and Alice Joy Locke; and grandson, Dustin Locke. Survivors include her children, Judith Miller (Larry), Martin (Pam), Stephen (Tonya), Charles (Donita), and Alan (Elsbeth); twelve grandchildren; thirteen great-grandchildren; one great-great grandchild; siblings, Ena Oliver, Vera Williams, Roger (Eleanor) Williams, and Wendell (Rebecca) Williams; and fourteen nieces and nephews.

The family thanks many individuals and nursing facility staff for their love, care, and support when she needed assistance. Visitation will be held May 2, 2024, from 5:00 until 7:00 PM, at Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home, Springfield; and on May 3, 2024, from 12:00 until 1:00 PM, at First Baptist Church, Springfield, with a funeral service following at 1:00 PM. A graveside service will be held following the service at approximately 3:00 PM in Mount Olive Cemetery, Polk County, Missouri, where Veda will be buried next to her husband, Russell. Memorial contributions in Veda Locke's memory may be made to the Lottie Moon International Missions Fund through the First Baptist Church, Springfield.