Meet Melissa, Evan Locke's Mother And Pastor Greg Locke's Ex-Wife Amid Son's Death From Overdose

Pastor, Greg Locke, the founder of Global Vision Bible Church in Lebanon, Tennessee, is currently navigating one of the darkest phases of his life. He is mourning the loss of his son, Evan Locke, who passed away from unnatural causes. Evan was just 22 when he died, and his demise was reported on May 8, 2026 (ET). He reportedly suffered a fatal cardiac arrest connected to an overdose. Greg shared that the doctors were unable to revive Evan after his heart stopped.

Having his beloved wife, Taisha McGee by his side might help Greg recover from the grief of his son's death sooner. The news of Evan's passing brought the spotlight on his mother and Greg's first wife, Melissa Biggers. The pastor was married to her for almost two decades, having moments of both ups and downs. As they lost their child untimely, here's a look at Melissa's life, career and her relationship with Greg Locke.

Who was Pastor, Greg Locke's first wife, Melissa Biggers?

Photo Credit: Pinterest

Melissa Kay Biggers is best known as the first wife of Pastor, Greg Locke. However, she is an established individual in her own right. Just like Greg, she is also a very devout person. The Caucasian woman worked as a caregiver in Shepherd Children's Home in Murfreesboro since she was 16. However, details about her life after marrying Greg aren't publicly known. Not much is known about her, as she likes to stay out of the spotlight. Melissa doesn't even have a social media presence, and there are no reports on her current whereabouts.

Photo Credit: Greg Locke/FB, Melissa Biggers/Twitter

Regarding Melissa's early life, a Tuko article stated that she was born on April 24, 1971, in Richmond, Virginia, and would be 55 as of May 2026. She is the daughter of Anelia Kay Biggers and Ronald Everett Biggers. Her family also includes three siblings, Miriam Elizabeth Morrow, Stephanie 'John' Davis, and Melanie Ollanketo. The Tuko report also mentioned Melissa's physical features, including dark brown eyes and blonde hair.

How did Melissa Biggers and Greg Locke's love story start?

Photo Credit: Greg Locke/FB

Melissa Biggers and Greg Locke met at the Good Shepherd Children's Home in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, probably in the 1990s. At the time, he was a ward of the state living at the home following several arrests as a teenager, while she was a staff member there. Greg's time at the facility was what completely changed his life. He credited the experience, particularly attending a revival with other residents, as the period when he dedicated his life to Christianity. Besides personal growth, he also found a companion and confidant in Melissa, and dreamt of a forever with her.

Photo Credit: Pinterest

A major part of Melissa and Greg's bond was their shared devotion to faith. According to Tuko, her father, Ronald Everett Biggers, was a former school administrator at several Christian schools and a pastor in many states, including Tennessee, Georgia, South Carolina, and Virginia. He might have provided valuable guidance to Greg Locke regarding setting up the Global Vision Bible Church. Melissa also became an inspirational figure at his church because of her bond with him and her dedication to the Christian faith.

Melissa Biggers and Greg Locke's engagement and marriage

Photo Credit: Greg Locke/FB

Melissa Biggers and Greg Locke were engaged in October 1995. Their ceremony took place when he was 19, and she was 24. A year later, in 1996, they walked down the aisle and later welcomed four children together, including two who are adopted. Chiara Clark is their only daughter. Her two brothers, Hudson Taylor Locke and Malachi Locke are reported to preach alongside Greg, and her third brother, Evan Roberts Locke, is currently deceased. Melissa and Greg's marriage lasted for over 21 years before they finalised their divorce in May 2018.

Greg Locke's divorce from Melissa Biggers and quick remarriage sparked online scrutiny against him

Photo Credit: Greg Locke/X

Greg Locke announced their separation on Facebook in January 2018. He broke down while talking about the end of his decades-long union with Melissa. The former couple's split was a highly publicised, controversial affair. During the separation, reports surfaced that Melissa was living in a domestic violence shelter in Georgia. Locke publicly addressed this by stating that she struggled with mental illness and that living in a shelter was her choice. Opening about the situation that they had been navigating in the last six months before their separation, an emotional Greg stated:

"Let me just say from the get go that the past year, especially the past six months, has been a very difficult and a very broken time in my life and in our family. I am a divorced pastor at this point in my life, but I did not divorce my wife and I did not send my wife away and the papers will verify that."

Photo Credit: Greg Locke/X

The pastor also dismissed the noise around his adultery as the cause of his split from Melissa. Shortly after the divorce was finalised, Greg Locke married Tai Cowan McGee in 2018. Tai had previously served as Locke's administrative assistant. The divorce and rapid remarriage led to significant criticism against him, leading to calls for him to step down from the pulpit at his church; however, the buzz died down after a point.

Photo Credit: Greg Locke/FB

What are your thoughts on Greg Locke and his first wife, Melissa Biggers, and their relationship and split? Let us know.

Also Read: Joni Lamb's Death Was Cause By Bone Cancer? Son, Jonathan Shares Rare Pic With Mom Amid Mourning

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