Mary Luke

Mrs. Mary Gay Luke died at her home on Saturday, September 22, 2007 at the age of 88 following a long illness.

Mrs. Luke was born September 16, 1919 in Alexandria, PA. Mary Gay was married to Vance in a military chapel in Jefferson Barracks, Missouri on April 5, 1942 and they celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary in 2007. Mary Gay was a tap and ballroom dance teacher in Tyrone, Pennsylvania. She taught piano at the Children's Home in Akron, Ohio where she was also an executive secretary at Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company, a Girl Scout Leader, and Sunday School Teacher. Her hobbies included crocheting, cross-stitch, bridge, square dancing, travel, visiting family, friends, and shut-ins, and studying local history. Mary Gay was known for her contagious laughter. She was a dedicated mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. She loved to create beautiful things as she made lovely embroidered quilts for all of her children and grand children and an incredible number of cross stitch pictures that graced their walls—many with significant verses from scripture to inspire and encourage. She also crocheted thousands of refrigerator towels that she freely gave to everyone ……and are now all over the world. Mary Gay was a faithful member of the First Presbyterian Church. Her husband, Vance Sr., and her faith in God were the cornerstone of her life. Mary Gay was a sensitive, thoughtful, creative, artistic, intelligent, faithful, giving, and fun loving person who will be greatly missed by family and friends.

She is survived by her husband, Vance H. Luke; Two daughters: Virginia Nagy and Kathleen Mason: one son: Vance H. Luke Jr.; 6 grandchildren: Matthew, Elizabeth, Van, Kristen, Michael, and Sarah; and four great-grandchildren: Austin, Madison, Camryn, and Luke.

A brief graveside service will be held at 11:00 A.M. in Floyd Memory Gardens with Rev. Scott Jackson and Dr. Vann Dyke officiating. Her memorial service will be held at the First Presbyterian Church in Rome, Georgia on September 26th at 11:30 AM.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the First Presbyterian Church Memorial Fund at 101 E. Third Ave., Rome, Georgia 30161.

Please join Mrs. Luke's family in honoring her life by visiting www.jenningsfuneralhome.com to post tributes and share memories.

The Oaknoll Chapel of the Jennings Funeral Home had charge of the arrangements.