Edward Eugene Luke, 95, of Cleveland, passed away peacefully on Friday, February 26, 2021. Gene was born on May 31, 1925 in Homerville, Ga. to the Rev. S.T. and Augusta Luke. He was married to the late Ruby Bass and they raised three children, Kenneth, Karen and Patsy, in Rocky Mount, NC, where Gene worked as a life insurance agent and where they were charter members of the North Rocky Mount Church of God. Gene served as the church choir leader from the age of 11 to age 80. Always ready to offer a smile and a song, he never met a stranger.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Ruby; and son, Rev. Kenneth E. Luke.
Gene is survived by his daughters, Karen Martin, of Cleveland (Dr. Lee Roy Martin) and Patsy Rankin, of Hamer, SC (Rev. Stan Rankin); his grandchildren, Rhonda Rauch, John Rankin, Stephen Martin, Rev. Paul Rankin, Mark Rankin, Michael Martin, Sarah Cloud and Kendra Martin; his great-grandchildren, Noelle Rauch, Abby Su, Caleb Martin, Hannah Rauch, Joshua Martin, Callie Rankin, Eden Rankin, Luke Rankin and Paxton Cloud; sister, Virginia Ingle; brother, Grady Luke; and several cousins, nieces and nephews.
The funeral service will take place on Tuesday, March 2 at 2 p.m. at Grace Community Church of God in Cleveland, with Pastor Kevin Mendel officiating. The family will receive friends from noon-2 p.m. The funeral service may be viewed online through the Grace Community Church Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/gccogtn).
Interment will follow later at Rocky Mount Memorial Park, Rocky Mount, NC, officiated by Gene’s son-in-law, Rev. Stanley L. Rankin.
Serenity of Cleveland Funeral Home and Cremation Services is responsible for arrangements.