Nancy Kathleen (James) Luke, loving wife and devoted mother, passed away peacefully at home on July 29, 2024, at the age of 60.
The funeral service will be held 11 AM, Friday, August 2, 2024, at the Paulk Funeral Home Chapel in Fitzgerald, with the Rev. Earl Perry officiating. The interment will follow at Luke Cemetery in Irwin County. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service.
Born on August 5, 1963, in Fitzgerald, Georgia, Kathy was the daughter of Ralph Edward James and Betty Louise Branam. She graduated from Fitzgerald High School’s class of 1981.
On April 15, 1983, Kathy embarked on a lifelong journey with the love of her life, Phillip Joe Luke, Jr. Together, they wove a tapestry of love and devotion that endured the trials of time. As a U.S. Air Force wife, Kathy embraced her role with grace and dedication, standing resolutely beside her husband through the challenges of his demanding military career. From assignments in Virginia, Maryland, Florida, and her favorite Italy, Kathy remained a pillar of support and strength. While Joe served his country, supporting around-the-clock military operations, Kathy tended to their household with love and care, nurturing their children with tender affection.
Once the children reached high school, Kathy seized the opportunity to explore new horizons, demonstrating her remarkable versatility and determination. Whether she was assisting customers at Kohl’s Department Store, stocking shelves at Wegman’s Supermarket, or sharing her expertise as a cheese consultant at Harris Teeter’s flagship store in Reston, Virginia, Kathy approached each role with passion and dedication.
Notably, Kathy’s patriotism and love for country extended beyond conventional boundaries, delving into the realm of U.S. national security. With humility and diligence, she was entrusted with a Top Secret security clearance while serving as a security officer for The Boeing Company. Assigned to National Reconnaissance Office Headquarters in Chantilly, Virginia, Kathy’s dedication to duty was deeply valued by her colleagues and supervisors alike.
Kathy found joy in a variety of activities, from hiking in the Smokies to collecting seashells at Sanibel Island and searching for fossilized shark’s teeth on the shores of Chesapeake Bay. She reveled in traveling the world and particularly enjoyed exhilarating cruises, where she could explore new ports and create cherished memories with her loved ones.
Kathy is survived by her beloved husband, Joe, and their children, Phillip (and Jerrica) Luke; Jason (and Jessica) Luke; Candice Luke; and adopted granddaughter Hailey Luke. She is also survived by her grandchildren: Ava, Cora, Amara, Braxton, Joshua, David, and Grace; her mother, Betty James; her brothers, Rusty and Tim James; her mother-in-law, Peggy Luke; a sister in law, Tonya Luke Miller; and a host of other loving family members and friends. Kathy was preceded in death by her father, Ralph James; father-in-law, Phil Luke; and son Henry Christopher Luke.