Verna Lee Lockhart

She was born on Dec. 21, 1930 in Cadet, MO, the daughter of the late Jesse and Agnes (Howard) Rhodes.

Verna worked for Illinois Bell Telephone Co for 40 years, retiring in 1990. She was part of the IL Bell Lunch Bunch Retirees , served as a Girl Scout leader, and love crocheting.

She is survived by her children, Jacki (husband Russell) Barger, Gary Lockhart, and Patti Ray, all of Springfield; 6 grandchildren, Joe (wife Kelly) Moore, Matt (wife Kim) Moore, Staci (husband Steve) Amy, Jessica (companion Phillip Simmons) Lockhart, Justin (wife Amanda) McBride, and Brittany Lockhart; great-grandchildren, Ryan, Connor, Keaton, Cooper, Hawk, Phillip, Jayden, Braylee, Kailynn, Teagan, and Jayce; a brother Harold “Dusty” Rhodes, a sister-in-law Donna Rhodes, and several nieces and nephews.

Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by a granddaughter Samantha Barger, 2 brothers Lloyd and Richard Rhodes, 5 sisters, Gloria Johnson, Delpha Boyd, Shirley Rhodes, and Dortha and Jessie Rhodes both in infancy, and a daughter –in-law Lori Lockhart.

Services are under the direction of Bisch and Son Funeral Home, 505 E. Allen, Springfield, where visitation will be held on Thursday, Jan. 7, 2016 from 5 to 8 pm. Funeral services will be held on Friday, Jan. 8, 2016 at 10 am at the funeral home, with Rev. Mark Gifford officiating. Burial will follow at Oak Ridge Cemetery, Springfield.

Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society.

Please visit the online obituary at www.bischandsonfuneralhome.com where tributes and condolences may be left for the family.