Age: 92yrs.2mos.6days

Zelda Blanche Davis Locke, beloved mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, and long-time Firebaugh resident passed away on August 2, 2003, at her home. She was 92 years old.
Zelda or "Mom" as she was affectionately called by generations, was born May 27, 1911, in Williams, California to her parents Blanche Mary Hastings and Walker Jefferson Davis. Zelda and her eight siblings, were raised on the family's farm and attended local schools. As a teenager, Zelda lost her mother to cancer. As a result, Zelda assumed the role as caretaker, tending to her younger siblings. At 18, she met the love of her life, Thomas Lawrence Locke. They were married on June 4, 1930.
Soon after, she and Tom moved to Firebaugh to begin their life together. Along with Tom's brother Daneward "Slim" Locke, Sr., who later married Zelda's sister, Colene "Cokie" Davis; they settled along the San Joaquin River, between Firebaugh and Mendota. Zelda recalled that, at the time, it not only looked like a desert, but was rattle snake infested too. At a spot where others may have just kept going, they saw an opportunity to build a future. Together, they formed Locke Bros. Ranch and raised cattle, and farmed rice, wheat and barley. Over the years, their diversified ranch included dairy cattle, hogs, and turkeys. At one time, The Locke Bros Ranch owned, rented and leased over 10,000 acres of cattle grazing and farm land.
Literally from the beginning, Zelda contributed to the success of the ranch. On her wedding day, Zelda cooked for the ranch hands, which at the time consisted of nearly 30 unmarried men. Not only did she prepare a hot meal, but baked both a pie and a cake. all on a wood-burning stove. As the ranch and its needs changed, so did her role. Over the years, she dutifully weighed cotton, fed hogs, milked cows and did anything else that was needed. Life on the farm was the source of many fond memories for Zelda, she humorously recalled that their "state of the art" dairy barn was the best place to do laundry, since it had electricity and her own house did not.
At the same time, she and Tom raised a family that spanned the generations. Shortly after her marriage to Tom, Zelda's father suddenly died, leaving Zelda's younger siblings without a mother or father. In response, Zelda took the toddler's into her own home and raised them to adulthood. They both loved children and together , raised six of their own.
She is survived by her children, Bernice Morris, Evelyn Alcorn, Tom Locke,Jr., Annette Maiorino, Ted Locke and Paula Salas. Survivors also include 22 grandchildren, 40 great-grandchildren, and 4 great-great grandchildren. Services were held on August 7, 2003, at the Firebaugh-Mendota United Methodist Church. Internment at Fresno Memorial Gardens, Fresno, Ca. The family would like to thank all those who attended the services and extended their support. Remembrances may be made to the Firebaugh-Mendota United Methodist Church and Hines Hospice of Madera. [Published - The Firebaugh-Mendota Journal Wed. August 20,2003]