Inez Goddard Luke, 81, of Stockbridge, formerly of Tifton, passed away Wednesday, May 18, 2016, at Emory University Hospital Midtown in Atlanta. She was God’s child and a devoted follower of Jesus Christ, a faithful prayer warrior and the humblest of servants. She was a wife, mother, Nana, and sister second to none, yet she put others first every single time. If she met you, she loved you. If you met her, you couldn’t help but love her. And if you ever ate her dressing, chicken and dumplings, or strawberry cake, you knew what love tasted like.
Her funeral service will be held at 3:00 p.m. Sunday, May 22, 2016, at Tift Avenue Church of God with the Rev. Joseph L. Crumley and her brother, the Rev. Carlton Goddard, officiating. Mrs. Luke will be laid to rest at Lenox Cemetery next to the grave of her oldest son, Gene. The family will receive friends Sunday, May 22, 2016, from 2:00 p.m. until the hour of the service at Tift Avenue Church of God.
Pallbearers are nephews Jerry Goddard of Cumming, Tommy Goddard of Dalton, Ricky Kinard of Tifton, Robby Kinard of Tifton, Bobby Goddard of Fort Valley and Eric Goddard of Kathleen. Honorary pallbearers are grandsons Joshua Cash of Philadelphia, PA, Jacob Luke of Stockbridge and J.P. Luke of Stockbridge.
Also, a memorial service will be held on Monday, May 23 at 11:00 a.m. in the chapel of Eagle’s Landing First Baptist Church in McDonough with the Rev. Howard Greer officiating and Mark Hall of Casting Crowns singing.
Mrs. Luke was born in Tift County on October 3, 1934. She was the daughter of Jesse Ray Goddard and Flonnie Mae Goddard, both deceased. Among her survivors are her husband of 63 years, Julius Luke of Stockbridge, formerly of Tifton; daughter Debra Luke Connell and son-in-law, Charles Connell of Tifton; and son Tim Luke and daughter-in-law, Karen of Stockbridge. She is survived by four grandchildren, Joshua Cash of Philadelphia, PA, Hali Garretson of Tifton, Jacob Luke of Stockbridge and J.P. Luke of Stockbridge; and three great-grandchildren, Kailyn Cash of Atlanta, Kyli Garretson of Tifton and Avery Mallard of Tifton.
She is also survived by two brothers, J.R. Goddard (Johnnie) of Dalton and Carlton Goddard (Paula) of Kathleen; and three sisters, Barbara Kinard of Lenox, Kathleen Goddard of Tifton and Marie Abell (Jimmy) of Tifton. She was preceded in death by two brothers, Ralph Goddard of Tifton and Hoyle Goddard of Tifton; and one sister, Shirley Freeman of Tifton.