Jewel Maxine Locklear Amos

Jewel Maxine Locklear Amos, of 1000 Wesley Pines Road, Lumberton, NC, departed this life on Sunday, July 13, 2025.

Ms. Amos was born in Robeson County on Dec. 16, 1935. She was the daughter of the late Roscoe and Winnie Catherine Locklear. She was preceded in death by her husband, Louis MacDonald Amos, and her siblings Carrie Mae Locklear Dial and Delton Ray Locklear. She is survived by her sister, Dorothy L. Blue.

Ms. Amos was a cherished citizen of the Lumbee tribe of North Carolina and a third-generation educator. Her grandfather, Anderson Locklear, was a member of the first class of the Indian Normal School, later to become UNC Pembroke. Ms. Amos’s belief in the transformative power of education inspired her to establish at UNC Pembroke a trio of Locklear scholarships that will impact students for generations to come.

In 2023, Ms. Amos was awarded the Governor’s Volunteer Service Award for Rowan County by Gov. Roy Cooper. The award is given annually to individual groups and businesses that make a significant contribution to their community through volunteer service.

Ms. Amos served in education for nearly 40 years and was a celebrated trailblazer in that field. At Morganton High School, she coached girls basketball. In 1966, public schools in Morganton fully integrated and the girls basketball team had a Native American coach and two African American players. Either in spite of, or because of that challenge, the Lady Wildcats won the Western N.C. High School Activities Association title game, defeating Statesville 48-40 on March 8, 1966. At the time, the only girls basketball tournaments in North Carolina were regional, so unfortunately the team didn’t have the opportunity to beat every team in the state.

A celebration of the life of this beloved and remarkable woman was held at the Wesley Pines Retirement Community fellowship building on July 24, 2025.