User:RCthurston2

Gwendolyn VeElla Thurston Lockett was born April 12, 1946, Gwendolyn VeElla Thurston Lockett was in the beautiful southeastern coastal city of Hampton, Virginia off the Atlantic Ocean and the Chesapeake Bay. She married Technical sergeant John L. Lockett on June 22, 1968 in Hampton Virginia. They have a daughter, Carmen, grandson, Cameron and a great granddaughter Aubrey.

Gwendolyn graduated from George Washington Carver High School in Newport News, Virginia in 1964. Teaching was a family legacy therefore; Gwendolyn continued her education earning a degree in Elementary Education from Virginia Union University in 1969. She earned a Master's degree in Curriculum and Instruction in 1978 from Catholic University of America in Washington,D.C. and a second master's degree in 1997 from Pacific University in Fresno, California.

After completing her student teaching, she accepted a teaching position and began her career in Alexandria Public School System in Alexandria, Virginia teaching second to fourth grade students. Her leadership abilities opened the doors to leadership opportunities; grade level chair responsibilities, involvement in Alexandria Education Association and school district negotiation team positioning her to receive leadership, learning and teacher training in-service opportunities.

Gwendolyn and her husband, John moved from Springfield, Virginia to Fresno, California in the summer of 1978. Accepting a job opportunity in Fresno Unified School District Gwendolyn taught Kindergarten through 8th grades and English as a Second Language at various schools, served as a Staff Developer Coordinator, Carver Academy summer school principal, Community Education Specialist, Intersession Summer School Principal/Coordinator and Elementary Interventions Coordinator. She retired from Fresno Unified District in 2006.

Gwendolyn participated in community activities which involved membership and leadership positions as Basilius and secretary of the Iota Omicron Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority and secretary of Fresno Chapter of The Links, Inc. The Lockett family also participated in Jack and Jill of America, Inc. for several years.

Gwendolyn was named in the Manchester Who's Who 2005-2006 Registry in American Education. She received "Woman of the Year 1990" at Fresno's First Black Music Awards. In July 2006, she received Special Recognition as a top African American in Fresno, California at the Black Expo.

Retiring in 2006 after public education, Gwendolyn served as principal to NorthPointe Christian Leadership Academy, a private Christian school. She completed her career in 2008 after 39 years of service.

Gwendolyn was called to leadership and service as a co-director for Passionately Pursuing You...God, The Passionate Resource Developmental Center, Purified Arts, ad Passion4Life Ministries.

The Lockett family attends Valley Christian Center in Fresno, California.

Presently Gwendolyn is a caregiver for her husband, who was diagnosed with Alzheimer's dementia in 2009 and diagnosed with cancer in 2010 and is now a cancer survivor!