Mr. Sanford Locklear

PEMBROKE — Mr. Sanford Locklear, a member of the Lumbee Tribal Council, died Tuesday at his home after suffering an extended illness.

Mr. Locklear, 72, was first elected to District 4 in November 2003.

“The Lumbee tribal membership have lost a historic trailblazer and deeply loved leader,” said Tribal Chairman Jimmy Goins. “I am just at a loss for words personally to describe the loss this means to the Lumbee community, particularly to Prospect and Philadelphus.”

Mr. Locklear was involved in the community and Lumbee tribal issues, dating back to the routing of the Ku Klux Klan in 1958, when he was photographed with a rifle shooting out the Klan’s light.

Mr. Locklear served on the Tribal Council’s Housing, Federal Recognition and Finance committees. He was also a member of the Elders Review Committee, which assists in determining tribal enrollment.

He served on numerous boards outside of the tribal government including Center of Community Action; Robeson County Family Support Program; member of the Advisory Council of Legal Aid of North Carolina in Pembroke; the Robeson County Board of Tax Equalization and Review.

He was a lifelong member and ordained deacon of the Rock of Ages Baptist Church in Red Springs.

“Mr. Sanford worked with all races,” said Mac Legerton, the Center of Community Action executive director. “For the past 50 years, he has been an advocate for equality for all people. He was a very spiritual man who put his morals and values into practice.”

Tribal Speaker Lawrence Locklear said the council is saddened by the loss.

“He was an elder among the Council and provided much insight into many tribal issues,” Locklear said. “He will be deeply missed and we offer our condolences to the family and friends.”

Story provided by Fayetteville. Ob. another story in Robesonian

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