Rachel New Luke, 78, of Ocilla, Georgia, passed away Thursday, February 4, 2021, at Colquitt Regional Medical Center in Moultrie, Georgia.
Graveside services will be held 3 PM, Sunday, February 7, 2021, at Evergreen Cemetery in Fitzgerald, Georgia, with the Rev. Josh Bowles officiating. Eulogies will be given by family members.
Mrs. Luke was born December 19, 1942, in Ben Hill County, Georgia, to the late Rev. John William (Bill) New & Irene Campbell New. She was a graduate of Fitzgerald High School. Mrs. Luke married Herman D. (H.D.) Luke and together they had two daughters and one son.
She had a multi-faceted career which included employment with General Telephone Company and the Jeff Davis Herald. She enjoyed spending time with her children and began working from home. She decorated and sold wedding and birthday cakes, sold Rubbermaid and Home Interiors. Mrs. Luke and her husband were the owners of Luke’s Five and Dime in Ocilla. In her forties, she decided to pursue her dream of becoming a nurse. She earned her LPN from Ben Hill-Irwin Technical College and as a student she represented Ben Hill-Irwin Tech as the GOAL (Georgia Occupational Award of Leadership) student. She later earned her RN Degree from Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College. Mrs. Luke spent her entire nursing career working for Tift Regional Medical Center’s Dialysis Clinic. She retired in 2007 as the nurse manager.
Mrs. Luke loved the Lord and served as Sunday School Teacher, Bible School Teacher and the president of Ladies Ministries. Her greatest desire was for the salvation of those she loved.
Mrs. Luke was devoted to her husband and the family. Her most satisfying title in life was “Nana”. She devoted time and effort to showing her grandchildren and great-grandchildren just how important they were to her. Her home was filled with laughter, especially during the holiday season. She loved decorating for Christmas and sharing her home with loved ones.
She is survived by her husband of 57 years, Herman D. (H.D.) Luke of Ocilla; three children and their spouses, Kimberly Keen & Greg of Chattanooga, Tennessee, Karen Culpepper & Bobby of Fitzgerald and Krieg Luke & April of Fitzgerald; grandchildren: Whitney Alexander & Josh, Casey Dix & Tyler, Alexandria Tootle & Adam, Chelsea Walker & Jacob, Luke Keen, Ashley Culpepper, Lex Luke and Karson Luke; and great-grandchildren: Ansli Smith, Miles Alexander and Benjamin Tootle. She is also survived by a god-daughter, Thelma Brown. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by three brothers: John W. New, Jr., Eugene New, and Charles New; and two sisters: Rhomelle Rathmann and Evelyn Ray.
The family suggests those desiring to send memorials may send them to Ocilla Church of God, P.O. Box 611, Ocilla, GA 31774.