Bobby C. Luke

SERVICES: MONDAYOCTOBER 1, 201211:00 A.M.MCCLAIN-HAYS CHAPELVISITATION: SUNDAYSEPTEMBER 30, 20124:00-7:00 P.M.INTERNMENT: CEDARLAWN CEMETERYPHILADELPHIA, MSOFFICIATING:DR. DAN HOWARD Bobby Clifton Luke, 55, passed away Friday, September 28, 2012 at The University of Mississippi Medical Center after a long illness. Mr. Luke was a native of Kemper County and a longtime resident of Philadelphia. He graduated from West Kemper High School in 1974 and earned the following degrees; a Bachelor of Physical Education from Mississippi State (1978); Master of Physical Education from Mississippi State (1980); and a Master of School Administration from Mississippi State (1994). Mr. Luke was a committed public servant. He began his career as a physical education teacher at Neshoba Central and then served as Tax Collector for Neshoba County from 1983 to 1991. He coached football at Kemper County High School from 1993 to 1994.  After earning his Masters, Mr. Luke became the principal of Tucker Elementary School in 1994.  From 1995 until 2009, he worked for the Philadelphia Public School District in various capacities, including assistant principal, principal and federal programs coordinator. He was a longtime member and deacon (ordination in 1987) of First Baptist Church of Philadelphia and former member of Coy United Methodist Church. He was past president of the Philadelphia Rotary Club and the Neshoba County Historical Society. He was named an Outstanding Young Man of America and to the Who’s Who of Public Servants in Mississippi. He attended Principals’ Institutes at Millsaps, Vanderbilt and Harvard. Mr. Luke was an avid outdoorsman and sports fan.He is survived by his wife of 31 years, Lynda Clark Luke; sons, Clark Luke (Mae) of Madison and Benjamin Luke of Philadelphia; mother, Hilda Vernon Luke of Preston; brothers, Ray Luke (Cyndi) and Mark Luke (Brenda), all of Preston; sisters, Linda McKee (Greg) of Philadelphia and Joy Luke of Preston; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Mr. Luke was preceded in death by his father, Benford Luke and daughter, Paige Kathleen Luke. Pallbearers were Johnny Peebles, Jeff Carter, Willie Jackson, Joe Wood, David Durant, Scott Bounds and Alex Dees. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that a donation be made in Mr. Luke’s honor to: The Lupus Foundation of America, 5295 Galaxie Drive, Jackson, Miss 39206-4337.