By Cleve R. Wootson Jr.
cwootson@charlotteobserver.com

People across the state have shared their money and stories of lost loved ones with a family of Charlotte teenagers who fulfilled their mother's dying wish, then struggled to raise nearly $8,000 for her funeral.

By Wednesday the teens had received nearly $20,000 from people they never met.

Before Tonya Lockhart died of cervical cancer three weeks ago, North Mecklenburg High School held a small graduation ceremony in the chapel of Presbyterian Hospital for two of her children - Brittany, 18, and Brandon, 19, who are both seniors.

While still mourning her death, the teens learned an insurance policy they thought would cover their mom's final expenses had lapsed. They were stuck with a funeral bill, and had no way to pay it.

Brittany, the family's oldest girl, pondered putting off college to raise money.

Their story ran in Sunday's Observer.

On Wednesday, a fund set up at Myers Park United Methodist Church in their honor had received more than double what they needed - in donations as small as $2 and as large as $1,000.

But more touching than the money were the words of encouragement and loss people expressed in hundreds of cards and letters.

"I am an 80 year old widow who lives alone and does not have a lot of money," one woman wrote. "But felt I had to have some small part in this effort."

Another man wrote: "I lost my wife of 46 years to ALS 3 months ago. I know what myself and my kids have gone through the past several months ... I am enclosing a personal check of $500. I know it will be put to good use."

The money, organizers say, is enough to pay for the funeral, and, they hope, to give the teens a foundation for their future.

For Brittany Lockhart, it means fulfilling the dreams she talked about with her mother before she died.

"If I were to go to college now, it would really make her proud," she said. "...Now I know I can do right by her."

People who organized the fund have also been touched.

"A lot of individuals who are contributing to the Lockharts are people who have themselves lost parents to cancer," said Kevin Wright, who as minister of missions at Myers Park United Methodist was in charge of the church collection effort.

He understands the Lockharts' pain, he said, because his mother is also battling cancer.

Mandy Gold, a former neighbor of the Lockharts, decided to help them after learning they had to cancel their mother's initial funeral. She said Wednesday she was overwhelmed by the outpouring.

"It's utterly amazing," she said. "It renewed my faith in people."

One hurdle is cleared, she said, but she worries for the young adults as they strike out on their own.

"They are going through a period of time in their lives where most children their age have parents to help them figure (things) out," she said. "They don't have any sort of network right now."

"I want to be there for them," she said. "I want to be a support for them as long as they'll have me."

IF YOU WANT TO HELP THE LOCKHARTS:
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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