H.R. 1231
GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA
Jun 18, 2020
SESSION 2019 HOUSE PRINCIPAL CLERK
H D
HOUSE SIMPLE RESOLUTION DRHR40675-LG-256A
Sponsors: Representative K. Smith.
Referred to:
1 A HOUSE RESOLUTION HONORING THE LIFE AND MEMORY OF SIDNEY ALVIN
2 LOCKS, JR., FORMER MEMBER OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.
3 Whereas, Sidney Alvin Locks, Jr., was born on February 5, 1949, in Opelousas,
4 Louisiana to Reverend Sidney Alvin Locks, Sr., and Gloria Harris Locks; and
5 Whereas, Sidney Locks, Jr., received a Bachelor of Arts in Religion and Philosophy
6 in 1971 from Wiley College (now Wiley University) in Marshall, Texas and a Masters of Divinity
7 in Theological and Ministerial Studies in 1975 from the Interdenominational Theological Center
8 (Morehouse School of Religion); and
9 Whereas, Sidney Locks, Jr., served as pastor of Sandy Grove Baptist Church in
10 Lumberton, North Carolina from January 1975 to December 1989; and
11 Whereas, in 1989, Sidney Locks, Jr., became pastor of the Cornerstone Missionary
12 Baptist Church in Greenville, North Carolina, a position from which he retired in May 2012; and
13 Whereas, over the course of his more than two decades as pastor of Cornerstone,
14 Sidney Locks, Jr., made it the church's mission to generate all of its income from tithing so as to
15 eliminate the need for special fundraising and to allow them to focus on their spiritual work; and
16 Whereas, since March 15, 1995, Sidney Locks, Jr., served as a commissioned North
17 Carolina Division of Motor Vehicle registration contractor; and
18 Whereas, in 1998, the church erected a 7,000 square foot Child Development Center
19 to serve 150 children and families; and
20 Whereas, in September 1999 after Hurricane Floyd, Cornerstone become a regional
21 and national distribution center lead agency for disaster donations; and
22 Whereas, in 1999, Sidney Locks, Jr., was a cofounder of LIFE of NC, Inc., (also
23 known as "STRIVE") a nonprofit organization in Greenville, North Carolina that assists in
24 employment training initiatives and reentry efforts to aid those reentering the community from
25 area detention centers; and
26 Whereas, in 2014, Sidney Locks, Jr., joined Mt. Calvary Freewill Baptist Church, and
27 served as its associate pastor and dean of education; and
28 Whereas, Sidney Locks, Jr., served as president of the Black Ministers' Conference
29 and was chair of the General Baptist State Convention; and
30 Whereas, Sidney Locks, Jr., was the founder and chief executive officer of the
31 nonprofit organization Transforming Christian Ministries, Inc., with the mission to reverse
32 spiritual, economic, health, and social disparities that plagued communities in eastern North
33 Carolina, which Healthy Live Healthy Choices, Body of Christ Development Ministries, and
34 Eastern North Carolina Donor Impact Project operated under, assisting thousands of North
35 Carolinians; and
36 Whereas, Sidney Locks, Jr., served with honor and distinction as a member of the
37 General Assembly in the House of Representatives for four terms between 1983 and 1990; and
*DRHR40675-LG-256A*
 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2019
1 Whereas, as a member of the House of Representatives, Sidney Locks, Jr., made
2 contributions in many capacities, including serving as chair of the Human Resources
3 Subcommittee on Aging, Medicaid, and Facility Services and vice-chair of the House
4 Appropriations Subcommittee on Base and Expansion Budget on Human Resources; and
5 Whereas, Sidney Locks, Jr., was one of the original 16 members of the Legislative
6 Black Caucus, which was established in 1984; and
7 Whereas, Sidney Locks, Jr., served as a member of the Robeson County School
8 Board, chair of the Lumberton Human Relations Commission, a member of the Advisory Board
9 of First Citizens Bank, and a board member of the Heart of Eastern North Carolina; and
10 Whereas, Sidney Locks, Jr., was a member of several fraternal organizations,
11 including Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., the Masons, and Alpha Phi Omega Fraternity, Inc.;
12 and
13 Whereas, Sidney Locks, Jr., was recognized on numerous occasions for his
14 contributions to his community, including being named one of the outstanding Young Men of
15 America in 1981 and Pitt County's 2000 Citizen of the Year, and receiving the Best-Irons
16 Humanitarian Award in 2000; and
17 Whereas, Sidney Locks, Jr., was the epitome of public service and spiritual
18 leadership, and always "lived what he preached"; and
19 Whereas, Sidney Locks, Jr., died on May 29, 2020, at the age of 71; and
20 Whereas, Sidney Locks, Jr., is survived by his wife of 47 years, Carol Ann Locks; his
21 four children, Sidney Locks, Frederick Locks, Odetta Locks Brown, and James Locks; six
22 grandchildren, Cade Alexander, Sidney Gabriel, Sydney Joy, Sophya Julianna, Tyra Renee, and
23 Aaron Jamal; and two sisters, Reverend Charlotte Locks and Mrs. Martha Levine; Now,
24 therefore,
25 Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:
26 SECTION 1. The House of Representatives honors the life of Sidney Alvin Locks,
27 Jr., pastor and former member of the North Carolina House of Representatives, and expresses its
28 appreciation for the service he rendered to his congregations, community, and State.
29 SECTION 2. The House of Representatives extends its deepest sympathy to the
30 family of Sidney Alvin Locks, Jr., for the loss of a beloved family member.
31 SECTION 3. The Principal Clerk shall transmit a copy of this resolution to the family
32 of Sidney Alvin Locks, Jr.
33 SECTION 4. This resolution is effective upon adoption.
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