Robert Rives Locklin, recently of Richmond, Virginia, went to his heavenly Father on Father's Day, June 20, 2021.

He was born May 20, 1929 to Anderson Jackson Locklin and Irene Elizabeth Moore of Monroeville, Alabama.  He graduated high school from Marion Military Institute in 1946, attended the University of Alabama, where he was a member of Delta Kappa Epsilon social fraternity, and received his law degree from Alabama in 1952.

On January 29, 1950, Rob married Betty Jean Huffstutler of Tuscaloosa, Alabama.  They resided in Tuscaloosa and Monroeville, Alabama; Salina, Kansas, where Rob served in the Air Force Judge Advocate General's Corp; and then Mobile, Alabama, where Rob entered law practice.  In 1961, the family moved to Washington, D.C., where Rob joined the staff of Alabama Senator John Sparkman.  He retired from the Senate staff in 1979.

Rob was an active member of Aldersgate United Methodist Church in Alexandria, Virginia, serving as chair of the administrative board in the 1960's.  He also served as chair of the Alabama State Society in 1968.  In 1969, Rob found inspiration in the mountains of Pendleton County, West Virginia, and devoted many years to projects allowing others to enjoy the beauty and peace he had found there.  He and Betty Jean moved to the County in 1992, where Rob was active as a member of the Franklin United Methodist Church and the Pendleton County Economic Development Authority.  In 2008, Rob was honored as the Pendleton County Democrat of the Year at West Virginia's Annual Jefferson-Jackson Dinner.

Rob was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Betty Jean; and daughter, Jeanie Van Trees.

He is survived by -

Daughter -

Eleanor Brown and husband, Bill of Richmond, Virginia

Son -

Lawrence and wife, Claudia Cardona

And grandchildren -

Victoria, Jonathan and Andrew of Jacksonville, FL

Son -

Tracy and wife, Kristen Camp

And grandchildren -

Will and Anna Hope of Herndon, Virginia

And son-in-law -

Stephen Van Trees and wife, Martha

And granddaughter -

Becca of Herndon, Virginia

And grandson -

Rob and wife, Alex of Denver, Colorado

Friends may pay their respects at any time on Friday, June 25 from 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM at Kimble Funeral Home in Franklin.

The family will receive friends from 9:30 - 10:30 AM Saturday, June 26 at Kimble Funeral Home.

A graveside service will be held at 11:00 AM Saturday, June 26 at Pinecrest Memorial Gardens in Franklin, West Virginia, with Pastor Mike Loudermilk officiating.  A brief reception will follow at the Franklin United Methodist Church.

A hybrid (virtual and in-person) memorial service will be held later in July at Tabernacle Baptist Church in Richmond, Virginia, where Rob worshiped in his final years.

Memorial donations may be made to Mountain Hospice, P. O. Box 416, Franklin, WV  26807 or At Home Care Hospice, 8149 Walnut Grove Road, Mechanicsville, VA  23111.

Condolences and remembrances can be shared via www.kimblefuneralhome.com