Luke Cemetery near Lax, GA - Coffee County, Georgia Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives Copyright 2000 Mary Clyde Paul Wright Luke Cemetery - near Lax, Coffee Co., GA >From Ocilla go South on Hwy #90 (Ocilla - Willacoochee Hwy). Travel about 12 miles to Hwy #90 and Hwy #158 Crossroads at Lax. Continue on Hwy #90 about 2 more miles - turn left on County Road #74 (dirt road). About 1.2 miles you'll come to another crossroads (3 roads are dirt & 1 road is paved). Go straight across on Lukes Cemetery Road about 1/2 mile to deadend at cemetery. The cemetery is located on the farm of Mrs. Bennie (Wanell Luke) Dockery, daughter of Tally & Emma Luke. Wanell and Bennie take good care of the cemetery. It is always very clean - no briars - no weeds. It has a chain linked fence around it with large pines and azaleas just outside the gate. Very beautiful and peaceful. This cemetery contains the family of Richard Benjamin (Ben) Luke and Janie Yawn. Ben was the son of John Luke and Telitha Jane Graves (who are buried at the St. Luke's Church Cem. in Berrien Co., GA). Janie is the daughter of Irwin Yawn who died in the Civil War at Richmond, VA. Her mother is unknown and was dead before the 1860 Coffee Co., GA, census. Janie was taken in and raised by Henry & Sarah Paulk. Ben & Janie were the parents of 15 children - 8 of which are buried here with them. First Row: Elizabeth Luke - daughter of R.B. & Jane Luke b. July 9, 1883 - d. Sept. 23, 1884 "At Rest" Riley R. Luke - son of R.B. & Jane Luke b. Feb. 27, 1875 - d. Sept 29, 1900 "Mothers, Friends, his life was stolen from him. Sleep In Jesus" >Was killed by John B. Graham in a knife fight at the Lax School Closing party over "some trivial matter" (girl). Luke was cut under the right shoulder blade - Graham recieved a dangerous wound in the right side. Luke died Saturday night - Graham improved.< (From the Oct. 5, 1900, Ocilla Dispatch) Thomas Luke - son of R.B. & Jane Luke b. July 23, 1891 - d. Sept. 3, 1904 "His words were kindness, His deeds were love, His spirit humble, He rest above." Malissie Luke - daughter of R.B. & Jane Luke (Brief marriage to Samuel Batten) b. July 23, 1894 - d. July 7, 1912 "I am bereaved as you can see, Of my dear loving mate, Now I am going to Christ above, So dear friends fare you well." R. B. Luke (husband of Janie Yawn) b. Dec. 24, 1853 - d. Aug. 2, 1926 "Dear children, Don't grieve after me, For I am in heaven, Waiting for thee." Janie Yawn Luke (wife of R. B. Luke) b. Mar. 14, 1855 - d. Nov. 1, 1943 "Dear children, Don't grieve after me, For I am in heaven, Waiting for thee." Tally L. Luke (son of R.B. & Jane Luke - husband of Emma Luke) b. Oct. 13, 1893 - d. Jan. 22, 1970 *Masonic Emblem* "He was Faithful to Every Duty" Emma Olive Luke (wife of Tally L. Luke) b. - Nov. 25, 1900 - d. May 1, 1979 "Our loving Mother in Heaven Awaiting Thee" Second Row: John J. Luke (son of R.B. & Jane Luke - husband of Julia Mims Luke) b. Jan. 13, 1876 - d. Nov. 21, 1939 *Masonic Emblem* "Beloved Father Farewell" Julia M. Luke (wife of John J. Luke) b. Jan. 12, 1888 - d. Nov. 23, 1971 "Beloved Mother Farewell" Infant of Mr. & Mrs. J.J. Luke -no dates- "Only Sleeping" Infant of Mr. & Mrs. J.J. Luke -no dates- "Only Sleeping" Infant of Mr. & Mrs J.J. Luke -no dates- "Only Sleeping" Tillman Luke - Infant of Mr. & Mrs. J.J. Luke -no dates- (1910 Irwin Co., GA, census shows he was born in 1910) "Only Sleeping" Infant of Mr. & Mrs. J.J. Luke -no dates- "Only Sleeping" Geneva Luke - daughter of Mr. & Mrs. J.J. Luke b. Dec. 19, 1919 - d. Jan. 29, 1923 "Only Sleeping" Third Row: Emory Luke - son of Oscar & Odessa Tanner Luke -no dates- Infant of Oscar & Odessa Luke -no dates- Infant of Oscar & Mary Luke -no dates- "Gone to be an Angel" Infant of Oscar & Mary Luke -no dates- "Gone to be an Angel" Infant of Oscar & Mary Luke -no dates- "Gone to be an Angel" Roscoe Luke (son of Oscar & Mary Luke) Age 18 Mo. (No other dates) "Gone to be an Angel" Mary Ella Luke (1st wife of Oscar Luke) b. Feb. 17, 1894 - d. Oct. 22, 1918 "Here is one that is sleeping in the faith and love, With hope that is be asured in heaven above." >She & her babies died in the big Flu Epidemic.< Oscar L. Luke, Sr. (son of R.B. & Jane Luke - husband of Mary Ella Harper & Odessa Tanner) b. Oct. 13, 1889 - d. Mar. 12, 1970 >2 Infant graves are unmarked on this row - believed to be first graves in cemetery and belonging to families who lived and worked on farm.< Fourth Row: Henry Luke (son of R.B. & Jane Luke) b. Nov. 11, 1887 - d. May 31, 1964 "Father" Infant Daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Henry Luke b/d Sept. 20, 1913 "Gone So Soon" Infant Daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Henry Luke b/d July 15, 1915 "Gone So Soon" Fifth Row: Infant Son of Mr. & Mrs. N.E. Tyson (Allie Luke Tyson) b/d Apr. 10, 1922 Riley Luke (son of John J. & Julia Mims Luke - husband of Nellie Jernigan) b. 1908 - d. 1942 "Gone But Not Forgotten" >Was fatally wounded when a shot gun he was carrying fell from his arms and was discharged, the load striking him in the left side of his back near the kidney. He left behind a widow and a young family of three sons (Raymond, Milton & John Henry) and two daughters (Ludell & Carolyn).< (Feb. 26, 1942 - The Ocilla Star) Sixth Row: Unmarked grave of Pearlie Gaskins Luke - 1st wife of Youngie Luke Unmarked grave of Infant of Youngie & Pearlie Luke Unmarked grave of Child of Youngie & Pearlie Luke >The other children of R.B. & Janie Luke NOT buried in this cemetery are: Lucious L. Luke [1873], Eunie Luke Vickers [1877], Olive Luke Smith [1879], Ida Luke Smith[1886], Youngie Luke [1896], Allie Luke Tyson [1898], & Ruby Luke Gaskins [1901].< This is lovingly submitted by Mary Clyde Paul Wright, granddaughter of John J. & Julia Mims Luke. - April 30, 2000. camel@surfsouth.com ==================================================================== USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or for presentation by other persons or organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for purposes other than stated above must obtain the written consent of the file contributor. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: Mary Clyde Paul Wright ====================================================================