Cheryl Emfinger Lock went to be with her Savior on Sunday, April 28th, 2024. She was born on January 13th, 1947, to Bernice and Thurman Emfinger in New Braunfels, Texas. Thurman was stationed in Japan after World War II. He was killed in a plane crash while serving in Japan when Cheryl was three-years-old.
Cheryl spent most of her childhood in San Angelo after her mother remarried Louis Blanek. She graduated from San Angelo Central High School in 1965 and attended Angelo State University for two semesters. She met and married Thomas Richard Lock in 1966 after a blind date, which also included her sister and Tom’s best friend, James Whitehead. Cheryl and Tom moved to Brownwood, Texas shortly after.
Cheryl started cutting hair in San Angelo, and she continued cutting hair in Brownwood. She and Tom began attending Woodland Heights Baptist Church in Brownwood, and at the age of 21, Cheryl gave her life to Jesus. She served Him the remainder of her life. She and Tom had their first son, Brandon, in 1975 followed by their caboose, Brady, in 1981. They moved to Sonora, Texas in 1982 where Tom went to work for the Askew Ranch as Ranch Manager. They would remain there and build their lives in the amazing community of Sonora. They have been members of FBC Sonora for 42 years.
Cheryl loved to serve in whatever capacity was needed. From Hanging of the Green to 1st-2nd grade VBS teacher to youth mission trips, she served faithfully.
She started working full time for Sonora ISD in 1994 as a special education aide and remained there until she retired in 2016. She spent 19 years of that time at Sonora High School. She loved serving kids and said many times over the years that she knew her calling was special education from an early age.
Her greatest joy in life was her two boys and later her grandkids. She was affectionately known as Grandma and Nannie. Josef, Addison, Grayson, Landry Kate, Briggs and Sutton loved her so much. Her life was filled with love and joy.
Cheryl was preceded in death by her parents, Bernice and Thurman Emfinger, her stepfather, Louis Blanek, her second stepfather, Jarvis Kilgore, and her brother, Mike Blanek. She is survived by her husband of 58 years, Tom Lock, her sons Brandon and wife Heather of San Angelo, Brady and wife Logan of Burleson, her grandchildren, Josef, Addison, Landry Kate, Grayson, Briggs, and Sutton, her sister Beverly and husband James Whitehead, brother Louis (Junior) Blanek, step-sister Vicki and husband Don McColum of San Angelo, and numerous nieces, nephews, and friends.
Philippians 2:3 says, “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.” Our mom was the example of Christ to us as she served us and lived out this verse her whole life. There wasn’t a time she didn’t sacrifice what she needed for what we wanted. Her life exemplified Christ to all those she was around. We can’t think of a better legacy for a mother to leave. Thanks Mom, for always pointing us to Jesus.
Visitation will be Monday April 29th, 2024 at Love Funeral Home in Sonora, TX from 6-8 PM. Funeral services will be at 10:00 am on Tuesday April 30th, 2024 at First Baptist Church in Sonora, TX with graveside to follow in Sonora Cemetery.
