Zolia M. Balque

Zolia M. Balque, 74, Altus, passed away Monday, November 2, 2020 at Jackson County Memorial Hospital. Funeral Mass will be 10 a.m. Saturday, November 7, 2020 at the Prince of Peace Catholic Church with Father Joseph Arledge officiating. A family visitation will be held Friday afternoon from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Kincannon Funeral Home followed by a Rosary with Deacon Eulis Mobley officiating.

Zolia Mae (Lockett) Balque was born November 22, 1945 in Eden, Mississippi to Leroy and Magnolia (Williams) Lockett. Zolia and Dorsin Balque were married July 14, 1962 in Negaunee, Michigan. The two were married for nearly 55 years, until Dorsin’s passing in 2017. Four children were born of this marriage: Cynthia, Patrick, Patricia, and Sharon.

As a child, Zolia enjoyed climbing pecan trees with her sisters and dancing. She earned an associate degree in science from Vernon Regional Junior College. Zolia was a loving and devoted military wife, mother, and grandmother. Along with caring for her family, she volunteered her time to many charitable organizations like The Salvation Army and the American Red Cross. Zolia served as a room mother for Altus Public School System. She was a member of the NCO Wives Club and the Red Hat Society. She participated in league bowling for many years. Another hobby of hers was cake decorating, which she learned under the excellent leadership of Doris Jouett.

She was a member of the Prince of Peace Catholic Church and an avid spiritual warrior active in many church activities. She was a Salesian Coordinator and a member of the Catholic Daughters, Prayer and Share, Bereavement and Funeral Dinner committee, and many others over the years. She also volunteered at the Annual Thanksgiving Dinner and Vacation Bible School.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and a brother, M.C. Lockett. Survivors include a son, Patrick Balque and wife, Audrey; three daughters, Cynthia Balque-Burns and husband, Bennie, Patricia Balque-Haywood and husband, Roosevelt, and Sharon Sutton; four grandchildren, Victoria Balque-Burns, Jess Barnett, Nicole Sutton, and Brianna Sutton-Castellanos and husband, David; two sisters, Joan Johnson and husband, J.C., and Bettye Collins; and numerous other family members and friends.

Online tributes may be made at kincannonfuneralhome.com. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Catholic Charities U.S.A at catholiccharitiesusa.org or to the American Lung Association at lung.org.