Teens struggle to pay for funeral

Published May 9, 2010 at 4:55 p.m.
Three weeks ago, Tonya Lockhart's children fulfilled their dying mother's final wish. Now they're worried they won't have the money to lay their mom to rest.

Lockhart was diagnosed with cervical cancer in April 2009. As her health worsened, she told her children she wanted them to graduate from high school.

After spring break, Lockhart was admitted for what would be her final stay at Presbyterian Hospital. A week later, in the hospital's chapel, North Mecklenburg High School held an early graduation ceremony for Brittany and Brandon Lockhart, who are both scheduled to graduate this summer.

Tonya died a week later, a picture of her children in their caps and gowns still taped up in her hospital room.

But that's when the problems for Brittany, 18, Brandon, 19, and their two brothers - who are all now living with family members - began to mount.

A life insurance policy the family thought would pay for Tonya's final expenses had lapsed. Extended family members donated some money, but nowhere near the $8,000 the funeral home asked for.

The troubles swirled for Tonya's children - the sadness of their mother's death, the uncertainty of their future and, now, the need for thousands of dollars they don't have.

Brittany said Saturday that she knows college is in her future, but because of her family's recent struggles, she doesn't know when.

"I will eventually go to college, just not right away," she said. "...I just want to make sure that (my brothers are) OK, they're settled with everything. I don't want to move too fast."

Mandy Gold, a family friend, said Saturday that she shares the Lockharts' frustration and is trying to help.

Gold met the Lockharts at 1 a.m. on her front lawn 2 1/2 years ago. Tonya and her children, who'd just moved next door, had never met the Golds. But the Lockharts called police that night when a suspicious car stopped in front of their new neighbors' house while the Golds slept.

The families have been close ever since.

Gold attended the graduation at the hospital and mourned with the family at Tonya's visitation a week later.

Afterward, Gold's phone buzzed. It was a text message from Brittany. "The funeral is postponed," the message said. "I'll keep you posted."

That's when Gold decided to help. She set up a fund at Myers Park United Methodist Church to benefit the family.

"They just wanted to do the right thing - there just wasn't the means to do so," she said. "I wondered what we could all do together."

It's putting pressure on the promise Brittany Lockhart made to her mother to graduate.

"It is hard," Brittany Lockhart said. "...But my mom prepared us all for what was going to happen. We knew she wasn't scared to die, but it just happened so sudden. She's not here, and I'm the only girl. My mom taught me enough to get through where we are now."

Brittany says she's determined to fulfill the promise.

"I know she wouldn't be satisfied if I didn't graduate," Brittany said. "I don't want to just stop everything now."

WANT TO HELP?

Donations can be sent to Myers Park United Methodist Church, Attn. Kevin Wright, 1501 Queens Road, Charlotte, NC 28207.

Write "Lockhart" in the memo line of the check.

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