On Easter morning, April 1, 2018, Ayrie Byrd Mason Locke of Keysville, VA, went to be with her Savior. Ayrie was a beautiful wife, mama, grandmother and great-grandmother who devoted her life to her family, her church and the Eureka community.  Ayrie was a devoted member of Eureka Baptist Church for more than 60 years.  She served multiple roles throughout her life at the church and continued to share the gospel with people when she was unable to attend church services in recent years.  She was passionate about people becoming saved and trusting their life to Jesus Christ.  Ayrie also loved hearth and home!  Gardening, both vegetables and flowers, spending time in the yard, her cats, listening to Big Band music on WFLO radio on Saturday mornings, family vacations to the Outer Banks, taking care of grandchildren when they were sick (or sometimes pretending just to have a day with her full attention), belly laughs with her two daughters, full moons, front porch sitting, Pet chocolate ice cream and watching it snow were among her favorite things.

She was preceded in death by her true love and husband for over 58 years, Tommy Locke. Also preceding in death were her parents, Thomas Toy and Bessie Collins Mason of Red House, VA, three brothers and three sisters. She is survived by her daughters, Tricia Tucker (Tim) and Rhonda Benn (Jim), her grandchildren, Blake Tucker (Krystal), Seth Tucker, Katie Biggers (Matt), George Thomas, Annie and Pearl Sandridge and four great-grandchildren, Emma Grace Tucker, Wyatt and Kinley Tucker, and Tucker Price Biggers. She is also survived by her sister, Mrs. Doris Pugh, of Charlotte Court House, VA.

A graveside service will be Thursday, April 5th, 3:00 pm at Eureka Baptist Church Cemetery in Keysville. In lieu of flowers, the family asks donations be made in her memory to the Eureka Community House, P.O. Box 803, Keysville, VA 23947. Browning-Duffer Funeral Home in Keysville, VA is serving the family.

 

Condolence Messages

  1. Joseph Giles

    03 April 2018 6 years ago

    Rhonda and Tricia,

    You and your families are in our thoughts and prayers. Tommy and Ayrie were both loved and well respected in the Eureka community. I honestly believe the love they had for home and hearth (and community) was passed to you both. Rhonda, I know you have her determination (also translated hard-headedness)!

    We love you and are praying for you!

    The Giles family
    (Joey, Tiffany and Rebekah)

  2. Frieda Whirley

    04 April 2018 6 years ago

    So sorry for the loss of your mother. What a beautiful tribute obituary of her. May God’s grace comfort you during this time.

  3. Debbie Alford

    04 April 2018 6 years ago

    Rhonda & Tricia,
    So very sorry for the loss of your precious mom. Some of my earliest (and fondest) memories are of your parents and that little country church they loved so much. Praying for you all during this time. Daddy sends his love to you both…he still talks about his Locke girls! Love yall.
    Debbie Proctor Alford

  4. Betsy Hamlett

    04 April 2018 6 years ago

    Rhonda & Tricia,
    So very sorry for your loss of mom. I have such fond memories of
    Ayrie and Tommy with their visits to mom and daddy’s home in Phenix.
    Cherish the memories. Praying for you during this difficult time. With sympathy.
    Betsy H. Hamlett

  5. Anita F. Martin

    05 April 2018 6 years ago

    What a beautiful obituary for a beautiful aunt. It describes her so well. It was “fitting” I think that she was taken to heaven on Easter Sunday. I saw a quote last week that said “her wings were ready, but our hearts were not”. She loved her family so much that had passed on and it helps me to know she is with them. She lost her mama at such a young age like me, and she understood how I felt when mine died. I love you Ayrie.

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