Elfrieda Jane Mays Locke, 94, a longtime resident of Paden City, W.V., passed away peacefully on April 4, 2017 in Houston, Texas. She was born June 30, 1922, in Braddock, Penn.

Elfrieda was preceded in death by her parents, Walter and Jane Mays; an infant sister, Virginia; and her son Douglas Locke. She is survived by her husband, James E. Locke; her daughter and son-in-law, Jane Ann and Thomas McCaig; and grandchildren Mark McCaig and his wife Amy, and Marie McCaig, all of Houston, Texas.

Elfrieda was valedictorian of her eighth grade class at Paden City Elementary and was co-valedictorian of her senior class at Magnolia High School in New Martinsville, W.V. She graduated from West Virginia University with a B.A. in English and Latin. During her senior year at WVU, she was president of the English Club and president of the education honorary, Alpha Upsilon Alpha.

Elfrieda taught at Warwood High School, Magnolia High School, Sistersville High School and one year at Paden City Tyler Elementary School.

While living in Pittsburgh in the 1970s and 1980s, she served on the Women's Aglow Executive board. During her later years she was a prayer intercessor for her family, friends, country and nations. Her greatest loves were God, her family and her country.

Elfrieda was a member of Glorious Way Church in Houston, Texas. Pastors from her church will officiate her funeral at Earthman Resthaven, located at 13102 North Freeway in Houston, Texas, at 2 p.m. Saturday, April 8. Interment will take place at Greenlawn Memorial Park in New Martinsville, W.V.