Obituary of Rufus Locust

Rufus Locust, 67, of the Birdtown Community went home to be with the Lord on Monday, July 18, 2011 at his residence. A native of Swain County, he was the son of the late McKinley and Mable Mae Locust. He was preceded in death by his wife, Ola M. Ruff Locust; and one brother, McKinley Lewis Locust. He was retired and a long-time employee with the Qualla Housing Authority. He is survived by his daughter, Tabatha Cherie Locust Dennis and husband Stephen of Virginia Beach, VA, and Ola's children Teresa Lynn Burgess Dover of Cherokee, Barbara Luellen Burgess Riley and husband Rick of Granite Falls, NC, Patsy Jean Burgess and husband Clyde Lail of Hickory, and James Burgess and wife Vivian of Cherokee; one sister, Louise Martin of Cherokee; two brothers, Earl Locust of New York and Johnson Locust of Cherokee; a special niece, Linda Susan Locust of Cherokee; aunt, Edna Hornbuckle; uncle, Arthur Locust; best friends, Eugene Stigman, Don Lambert, and Ray Cloer; and numerous friends and grandchildren. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday at Goose Creek Baptist Church. Rev. Arthur Locust will officiate with burial in the Locust Family Cemetery. The body will be taken to the church at 4:00 p.m. Thursday by Crisp Funeral Home to await the hour of service.