An Honored Man: Pop Pop's Obituary


Reverend Ora Marcus Locust, Jr. was born on October 30, 1934 in Pittsburgh, PA. He was the fourth child of the late Reverend Ora Marcus and Mary Ruth Greenway Locust, Sr. He received his early education in Pittsburgh and later graduated from Booker T. Washington High School in Dallas, TX in 1954.

In 1955 Ora Locust, Jr. married Verona Lee Douglas and their union was blessed with six children: Ora Marcus III, Michael, Joyce (my mother), Wayne, Christopher, and Stephanie who preceded him in death. Among his many services for our Lord Reverend Locust, Jr. was choir director for many churches in Philadelphia and New Jersey and was a talented musician and gifted singer of the Gospel. He was called to preach in 1961 and ordained in 1965. He pursued studies at Temple University, Philadelphia College of the Bible, and received his Bachelor of Theology from Inter-Baptist Theological Center in Houston, TX in 1967.

Reverend Locust, Jr. pastored the Pine Street Baptist Church in Scranton, PA from 1965-1968, First United Baptist Church (Philadelphia) from 1968 to 1984, and was the founding pastor of Pilgrim's Rest Baptist Church until his retirement in 2000.

Reverend Locust had the heart of a true servant and for much of his life was dedicated to community service and civic responsibilities from early years as a civil rights leader in Scranton and as Director of the Neighborhood Community Center he continued his committment for many years of work in crime prevention as Director of R.W. Brown Boys and Girls Club in North Philadelphia.

Upon retirement Rev. Locust, Jr. joined Loyal Baptist Church under the pastorate of the Reverend Floyd Locust. He was a faithful servant in ministry and family.

Reverend Locust, Jr. was preceded in death by three sisters: Harriet, Lois Paris, and Viola Jackson. He leaves to cherish his memories Verona and their five children; his sister Ruth Martin; two daughters-in-law Deborah and Kimi; one son-in-law James; nine grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces and nephews, cousins, and many friends.

Sorrowfully submitted,

The Family