HERRIN, IL — The Herrin community is reflecting on the life and legacy of Martha Lockridge, a beloved educator, local entrepreneur, and historic figure who passed away on September 12, 2026, at the age of her peaceful rest.
Lockridge holds a historic place in local education history. She made history when she was hired by Southside Elementary School in Herrin, becoming the first person of color to teach at the school. She taught first grade, leaving a lasting impression on generations of young minds with her warmth, guidance, and dedication.
Throughout a distinguished career spanning 19 years in full-time classroom teaching, Lockridge spent six of those years serving in the Herrin school system before retiring. Former students remember her not only as an impactful teacher who laid strong foundations for learning, but as a compassionate mentor whose kindness left an indelible mark on their lives.
Beyond the classroom, Lockridge was deeply rooted in faith and community. Her entrepreneurial spirit remained vibrant long after her school days. In the fall of 1996, she and her husband, Rev. Leroy Lockridge, opened Martha’s Bric-A-Brac in Herrin, operating the local business together for five years. Friends and neighbors also affectionately remember her as the "Queen of Hats," bringing grace, southern tradition, and a warm smile to everyone she met.
Lockridge was preceded in death by her parents, George Wesley and Maynetta Washington, and nine of her siblings. Services were handled by Jackson Funeral Home in Carbondale.
As Herrin remembers Mrs. Lockridge, her legacy endures in the history she made, the lives she touched, and the generations of students who were blessed to sit in her classroom.
Read Mrs. Lockridge's full obituary online at https://www.jacksonfuneralhomecarbondale.com/obituary/martha-lockridge
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