Mr. Lavawn Luke, age 73, of Nicholls passed away Wednesday morning, July 12, 2017, at the Hospice Satilla Hospice House in Waycross, following an extended illness. He was born May 2, 1944 to the late Shade Luke and the late Maggie Carter Luke. Other than his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Shirley Ann Raper Luke; brothers: Carl Luke and Carroll “Pete” Luke; sisters: Kathleen Hayes and Madeen Garrison and nephew: Carlton Luke.
Mr. Luke graduated from Berrien County High School in 1962 and South Georgia College in 1964. He also attended Valdosta State University. He had worked in construction and manufactured housing as a purchasing manager for the plant until retiring from Fleetwood Weston of Alma. He continued in retirement with farming and cattle. He was an active member of the Coffee Cattleman Association where he was a past president. Mr. Luke was a faithful member of West Ward Church of God and had also served as director for the church’s Prime Timers.
Survivors include: sons: Gregory (Peggy) Luke of Douglas, GA and Christopher (Angela) Luke of Nicholls, GA; grandchildren: Aaron Teston with U. S. Marines based at Jacksonville, North Carolina, Maggie Luke of Nicholls, GA and Shade Luke of Douglas, GA; several nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of friends.
The funeral service was held on Sunday, July 16, 2017, at 3 p.m., at West Ward Church of God, with Rev. Leroy Spivey, Rev. Craig Jump and Rev. Britt Peavy officiating. The interment followed at St. Luke Cemetery, in Berrien County. Mr. Luke will be placed in the church at 1 p.m. to lie in state until the funeral hour.
Ricketson Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.