Verna Locke

Verna had a lifelong love of creating beauty. Her quilts were art: all made by hand. Her porcelain dolls were hand painted and, of course, she made all their clothes: a doll for every girl in the family. One was a likeness of Red Skelton, of which she made two: one she kept, one she sent to him: Red responded with a letter of thanks. But where she created the most beauty was as a hairdresser, both in her own home and later with Eloise Shop in Woodstown. In her younger years she harmonized with her sisters, Jane Kimble and the late Doris Klotz. They sang for their own enjoyment but they were also the entertainment at the Woolwich Grange. It’s there she’d catch the attention of a handsome guy: the late Albert Sharp. The nation was entering WWII: They’d marry and he’d ship off with the Navy, but she’d follow him everywhere from Oklahoma to Lakehurst NJ. After the war they’d settle in Swedesboro. Theirs was a 25 year marriage blessed with laughter and innumerable cars, especially their 31 Ford named Victoria, Vicki. She and the late Albert were charter members of the South Jersey Regional Car Club. Years later, through friends, she’d meet her 2nd husband, the late Norman Locke. Apparently one 25 year marriage blessed by laughter and cars wasn’t enough: Verna did it twice. She is survived by her daughters, Donna Eichmann and Marilyn Sharp; 6 grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren and 1 great-great grandchild.
Come celebrate 97 great years Friday 9-11 a.m. at Daley Life Celebration Studio where there will be an 11 a.m. service. Interment Eglington Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, donations to South Jersey Region AACA, c/o Linda McFarland, 224 Hogate Blvd., Salem NJ 08079 or the charity of the donor’s choice will be appreciated.