Hoyt Morris Lock

Birth Date: 06/03/1929
Deceased Date: 09/08/2021

Reverend Hoyt Morris Lock, age 92, of Selma, passed away on September 8, 2021 at the SECU Hospice House in Smithfield. Born in Copperhill, Tennessee on June 3, 1929, he was the son of the late Thomas Martin and Celia Priscilla Davis Lock. Reverend Lock was preceded in death by his wife, Hazel Fendley Lock, in 2011.

Hoyt graduated from Ellijay High School in 1948 and entered North Georgia College (now The University of North Georgia). He left college after his sophomore year and entered into the United States Army, serving as a Staff Sergeant during the Korean Conflict (1952-1953). Upon his honorable discharge from the Army, he returned to North Georgia College on the GI bill and married his fiancé, Hazel Fendley on Christmas Eve, 1953. Hoyt graduated from North Georgia with a B.S. in education in 1955.

Mr. Lock entered the ministry and moved to North Carolina after deciding to attend Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest. He began serving as the part-time pastor of two churches here in Johnston County; Live Oak Baptist near Selma and Pauline Baptist near Strickland’s Crossroads. Hoyt graduated with a Bachelor’s of Divinity Degree from Southeastern in 1965. He served as pastor of a church in Snead’s Ferry and also Harris Chapel Baptist Church in Youngsville before returning to Johnston County as pastor of Live Oak Baptist. He also served as interim pastor of Liberty Christian Church in Vance County as well as White Oak, Clyde’s Chapel and Hephzibah Baptist Churches in Johnston County. He earned a Master’s of Divinity from Southeastern in 1970 and a Doctor of Ministry from Luther Rice Seminary in Florida in 1983.

Rev. Lock retired from full-time ministry in 1985 but continued to pursue his love of teaching. He taught part-time at Johnston Community College for almost 20 years, teaching various courses including psychology, sociology, pubic speaking and adult literacy.

Rev. Lock also served his community, serving on the board of directors of the Franklin County Mental Health Association, the Advisory Council for Smithfield-Selma Senior High School, and the Board of Directors for the Johnston County Partnership for Children Smart Start Program. He was a member of American Legion Post 141 in Selma.

A graveside service will be held on Friday, September 10, at 11:00 am at Pauline Baptist Church Cemetery, Strickland’s Crossroads Road, Four Oaks. Masks and social distancing are required per the family.

Surviving are: his son, Thomas H. Lock and wife Angie; granddaughter Meghan Lock Carruthers (Steve), grandson Britton Thomas Lock (Keighley); great granddaughter Fendley Elizabeth Carruthers, great grandson Cash Brewer Carruthers; great granddaughter Penelope Grace Lock; step granddaughter Breanna Sutton Hinkle (Alex), step granddaughter Meredith Lindley Williams; and his daughter Amy Lynn Lock.

Memorial contributions may be made to the SECU Hospice House, Pauline Baptist Church or Johnston Community College.

Condolences may be sent to the family at parrishfh.com.