On Sunday, March 24 Midway Baptist Church of Columbus held a surprise celebration and luncheon for Rev. and Mrs. Gary Lockee.

Several family members and longtime friends of his ministry joined in to help the congregation surprise him and honor him for his faithful service at Midway Baptist.

Rev. Lockee retired March 31 from his pastoral post after coming out of retirement 10 years ago to serve as full-time pastor at Midway Baptist Church. He has served as a pastoral minister for 50-plus years in six churches and has preached at more than 200 revivals over the span of his ministry. He graduated from Fruitland Baptist Bible Institute of Hendersonville, and the Luther Rice Seminary of Jacksonville, Fla.

Rev. Lockee and his loving wife, Evelyn, have been married 55 years and reside in Campobello, S.C. where he enjoys working in his garden. They are the parents Tina McMillion who is the wife of Rev. Mike McMillion and their two children of Iva, S.C. and a son, Michael, who is deceased.

Rev. Lockee plans to remain active by serving churches on an interim basis and for pulpit supply and revivals.

– article submitted by Pat Mills