Rev. Ray Luke

Funeral services for Rev. Ray Luke will be held Wednesday, October 11, 2023 at 11 a.m. from Coy Community Church with Bro. Chris Gully, Bro. Mike Sims and Bro. Evan Humphries officiating. Burial will follow in Coy Community Cemetery. Visitation will be held Wednesday, October 11, 2023 at Coy Community Church from 10 a.m. until service time. McClain-Hays Funeral Service is in charge of arrangements. Mr. Luke, 69, of Preston, died Sunday, October 8, 2023. Rev. Luke was a native and lifelong resident of Kemper County. He graduated from Kemper High School in 1972, EMCC in 1974, MSU in 1976 with his BS degree, and in 1985 with his Master’s Degree. He taught in the Kemper County Public School System from 1976-2010 when he retired. He became a Gideon in 1980 until 1988 when he was called to preach the gospel and served at various churches during this time. He was a founding member of the Preston VFD in 1976 and became the Kemper County Fire Coordinator. He served as the deputy Director of County Emergency Management Operations and was elected Chief of Preston VFD in 1994 until 2019. He was a member of Summerville Lodge #64, MS Counseling Association, MS Vocational Counselors Association and the DeKalb Lions Club. Rev. Luke was named Kemper County Citizen of the Year in 2001 and Outstanding Young Man of America in 1986. Rev. Luke was a devoted Christian in faith and action. Survivors include his wife of 21 years, Cyndi Luke of Preston; sisters, Linda McKee (Greg) of Philadelphia; Joy Luke of Preston; brother, Mark Luke (Brenda) of Preston; sister-in-law, Lynda Luke of Madison; and a host of nieces and nephews. Rev. Luke was preceded in death by his parents, Benford and Hilda Luke; brother, Bobby Luke; niece, Paige Luke. In lieu of flowers, family requests donations to be made to The Gideons International or St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital or to a charity of your choice. Pallbearers are Clark Luke, Corey Luke, Benjamin Luke, Evan Humphries, Matt Livingston and Lee Roberson. Honorary pallbearers are members of the Preston VFD. The family would like to give a special thanks to Dr. Dustin Gentry and staff, Louisville Health Care and their staff and Quality Hospice and their staff for the care that was given and compassion they showed to Rev. Ray and his family.