Rev. James Edward Luke

The Reverend James E. (Jim) Luke, formerly of Wesley Woods in Newnan, died May 18, 2013 at Doctor’s Hospice in Fayetteville, following an extended illness. He was surrounded by his family. A retired United Methodist minister, Reverend Luke devoted 40 years of his life to serve Methodist congregations in Mississippi and Georgia. His first appointment was a rural charge of five churches north of Meridian, Mississippi, which included Porterville, Union Hill, Mt. Hebron, Briggs Chapel, and Chapel Hill United Methodist Churches. Later he would serve numerous other United Methodist churches including Druid Hills in Meridian, Mississippi; Lovejoy, Red Oak, and Gaither’s Chapel in the Newton County-Covington, Georgia area; Midway in Alpharetta, Georgia; Sandy Springs in North Fulton County, Georgia; Tallapoosa in Haralson County, Georgia; Tillman, Trinity and Fair Oaks in Cobb County, Georgia; Zoar in Lithonia, Georgia, and Hillside in Woodstock, Georgia. While serving his first pastorate, Reverend Luke was graduated from Livingston State College (now West Alabama University). After moving to Georgia, he attended Candler School of Theology at Emory University in Atlanta and was graduated with a master’s degree in theology. Reverend Luke was born June 7, 1931 in Meridian, Mississippi to Vardaman and Leona Luke. He was married for more than 60 years to his childhood sweetheart, Carolyn Frasier Luke, until her death in May of 2008. In the fall of 2008, he moved to Wesley Woods of Newnan to be closer to his daughters. The Reverend Luke is survived by his son, Stephen P. Luke (wife Cheryl Luke) of Easton, Pennsylvania; daughters Crystal T. Johnson of LaGrange and Cindy Valentine (husband Jerry Valentine) of Newnan; grandsons, Eric Valentine (wife Loie O’Brien Valentine) and Chris Luke (wife Heather White Luke), of Decatur; Mark Valentine (wife Tami Calhoun Valentine) and Andrew Valentine, of Newnan; and Michael Luke (wife Elizabeth Dunn Luke) of Woodstock; and great-grandchildren Zoe and Hayden Valentine of Newnan, and Lilly and Elena Luke of Decatur. Funeral services will be held at McKoon Funeral Home on Wednesday, May 22, 2013 at 10:00 a.m. with interment at Greenlawn Cemetery in Roswell. Visitation will be Tuesday evening between 6:00-8:00 at McKoon Funeral Home, 38 Jackson St, Newnan, GA. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions to American Diabetes Association, 225 Peachtree St. NE, Suite 550, Atlanta, GA 30303. McKoon Funeral Home (770) 253-4580

Rev. James Edward Luke

June 7, 1931 - May 18, 2013