Martha Lokey Lovett died on Sept. 9 after a long struggle with Parkinson’s. She will be remembered for her sincere care and concern for other people, her sweet way of making everyone around her feel special and important, and her quick sense of humor.
Mrs. Lovett was born May 28, 1936 in Augusta to the late Martha and Leonard Lokey of Thomson. She graduated from Thomson High School and Oxford College, completed a B.S. degree from Emory University in 1958 and earned a masters degree from Georgia College and State University.
Mrs. Lovett was a beloved teacher of thousands of students, teaching in Augusta, Berkley, California and Atlanta before moving to Newton County where she taught at Palmer-Stone Elementary and E.L. Ficquett Elementary schools. During Mrs. Lovett’s thirty year career, she taught first, third, fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh grades. Mrs. Lovett described the years she taught sixth and seventh grade math classes at Palmer-Stone. Some of the classes had forty-three or forty-four students but the large numbers were manageable because the children were well-behaved, and they shared a sense of love and mutual respect with their teacher.
Former students and colleagues remember Mrs. Lovett as a tough and demanding teacher. She had high standards for every student and expected each child to move toward his or her potential. Her classroom was energized with excitement for learning and sharing, and students knew that they were appreciated for their unique gifts.
Mrs. Lovett married Linton Lovett in 1995 and retired from her teaching career. For decades she was a member of Covington First United Methodist Church where she was active in the Chancel Choir, Altar Guild, Stephen Ministry, and United Methodist Women. She was also a long-time member of Newton County Mental Health Association, Covington Book Club, and Satzuki Garden Club.
Mrs. Lovett was preceded in death by her husband, Linton Lovett of Covington, her parents, Martha and Leonard Lokey of Thomson, her son Lidden Pate of Watkinsville, her twin brother Leonard Nunnally Lokey, Jr. (Rosemary) of Griffin, and her sister Kathryn Lokey Palmer of St. Simons Island.
She is survived by her daughters Martha Lokey Mooney (Andrew) of Jupiter, Florida and Gale Marie Pate of Smyrna. Her grandchildren are Billy Pate of Augusta and Alexandra Pate of Alexandria, Virginia, Brett Knight (Lindsay, Clayton and Kinsley) of Villa Rica, and Drew Mooney of Jupiter. Other surviving relatives are her brother-in-law Eugene H. Palmer of St. Simons Island; nieces and nephews Dr. Harwell Palmer (Catherine) of Pinehurst, North Carolina, Ben Palmer (Kay) of Atlanta, and Kathryn Tison (Perry) of Blackshear, Georgia; cousins Charles Cameron, Tommy Lokey, and George Lokey (Kay) of Thomson and Dr. Lee Lokey (Kay) of Atlanta.
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m Friday, Sept. 14 in the Covington First United Methodist Church, 1113 Conyers St. , Covington. The family will receive friends at 1:30 in the church sanctuary. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions be made to those in need.
