Celebrating The Life of The Maestro Charles Lockett:

Charles Lockett was born August 15, 1921 in the city of Gray, Georgia. He was the third son of Croel & Emma Grace Lockett. At the age of two the family left Georgia and migrated to Toledo, Ohio. He was educated in the Toledo Public School system and completed his education at JW Scott High School. 

The Lockett family was full of gifted musicians and Charles was no different. At a very early age, he taught himself how to play the piano. He often recalled how his teachers in school would invite him to “play piano for the kids, Charlie.” He was widely known for his ability to “Tickle the ivory.” He was often affectionately referred to as “The Maestro!” In addition to playing the piano, he was also gifted on guitar and other stringed instruments. 

He grew up attending the old Wabash Street Church of God in Christ in Toledo where his father (Elder Croel Lockett) was a minister and his mother (Mother Emma Grace Lockett) served on the local Mother’s Board and the Prayer and Bible Band. In 1939 he moved to Detroit, Michigan at the age of 18 years old, joining his brother Andrew and found employment in the manufacturing industry. He also led a successful Jazz combo band and played at that time in the Detroit Nightclub scene. But God had another plan. 

During a visit back home with his parents in 1947, he accompanied them to church where he saw and met a young lady; Louise Thompson and it wasn’t long before they were an item. After a year’s courtship, on October 9, 1948 they became husband and wife. Once settled in Detroit, Sister Louise Lockett placed her membership at the “Old Mother Church” known as Livingstone Street Church of God in Christ under the late Pastor R.H. Cobb. They were a dynamic duo with Louise being a very powerful soloist and Charles accompanying her on the piano. 

After serving a while at Livingstone, they joined a young Pastor and his wife and relocated their membership to the Northwest Church of God in Christ under the leadership of the late Bishop Green D. Moore.

Charles was a very good father and was very involved in his kid’s lives. He taught each of them the value of hard work. He gave them valuable life lessons throughout their lives as only a loving father does. He was fun but protective and always a good provider, at times working several jobs to make sure his family was provided for. Whether working his primary job or doing work as a painter or carpenter, he embodied the entrepreneurial spirit by never waiting for but rather, by going after work. Still he always had time for his kids. He was the first employer of all of his grandchildren, as well as numerous family members and friends. 

Charles was also a very good cook and baker, and was affectionately known as, “The Pie Man.” His pies were exceptional, especially his famous pie crust. Among other things, he was known to be an impeccable dresser and many of the young men at church tried to emulate his style. 

During a revival in 1961 led by the late Elder S. G. Edmonds, Charles accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior and was saved and filled with the Holy Ghost. Shortly thereafter, he became the fulltime pianist at the church and would no longer be found playing in the clubs. There had been a change in his life! He served at Northwest faithfully through the years until (in 2015) he and Louise joined their daughter and son-in-law, (and now pastor) Elder Jerome Chandler and 1st Lady Jynean Chandler and became charter members of the Fellowship Chapel Church of God in Christ, where he served as pianist and deacon. In his golden years and final days he eagerly continued on, playing the piano for the church, even at times while ill. 

On July 18, 2017, 10:58 PM, the appointed time of his departure came and, at the ripe old age of 95 years old, God called him home from labor to reward and from life to eternity.

Papa left his jazz combo long ago to play for the church and he is now part of that glorious band in Heaven, tickling the ivory and praising God as only he can.