DERBY, Elaine Locke, age 96, passed away February 14, 2022. Art, dance, and music figured prominently in her life. She was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York. She was president of her high school and attended Alfred University in upstate New York, receiving a B.A in ceramic art. In 1946, she received the Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges Award. She moved to California after graduation to teach ceramic art in Berkeley, Ca.
Elaine moved to the Temple Terrace, Florida area in the mid-1950’s where she lived most of her life. Many people knew her from the business she and her husband owned and operated - Derby Music Service, a sheet music business - serving high schools and universities statewide.
But love of painting and dance were always dear to her. Elaine painted many watercolor scenes and exhibited some of the paintings in the Tampa Bay area. She loved ballroom dancing at the Rhapsody Ballroom in Temple Terrace as well as square dancing in St Petersburg.
Elaine is preceded in death by her husband Willett (Bill) Derby Jr (1988). She is survived by her two sons, Bruce (Fran), Glenn (Suhair), and her granddaughter Lainey.
Funeral Services will be held at Blount and Curry Terrace Oaks Funeral Home and Crematory, on March 14, 2022, at 2pm.
