Georgia Dorothy Luke-Reece was born Sept. 1, 1925, in Elmira, Missouri, to the union of Japetha Garner and Slyvia MacDonald. Also born to this union were two sisters, Velma and Beatrice, who both preceded her in death.

Japetha Garner later married Helen Harrison; and to that union, 10 additional siblings were born, all who have preceded her in death, except for Joseph Garner, Las Vegas, Nevada.

Dorothy, as her friends and family knew her best, accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior at Main Street Baptist Church at the age of 12. She later served as a Sunday school teacher, Sunday school superintendent and anywhere in the church she was needed until her death.

Dorothy attended Lincoln School in Excelsior Springs for all of her schooling up till her high school graduation. She loved to read the Bible, work puzzles, create ceramics, and spend time with her natural and church families.

Dorothy worked outside of the home as a laborer most of her life before retiring, working for The Elms Hotel, McCleary Hospital and Whittaker Cable Manufacturing Plant, to name a few. Her greatest love was to serve others as she would visit the sick and shut-ins as often as she could.

Dorothy married Claude Lee Luke (deceased) on Oct. 13, 1943; and to that union, six children were born. Left to cherish the memory of their wonderful mother are Jelani Nakisisa of Overland Park, Kansas; Robert (Joyce) Luke of Chesterfield, Missouri; Donna Fowler of Overland Park, Kansas; John (Diane) Luke of Excelsior Springs, Missouri; and Rose (Curtis) Jones of Kansas City, Missouri.

Dorothy also had six grandchildren: Melodie (Anthony) Coleman of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; Michele (David) Morrow of Lee’s Summit, Missouri; Corey Luke of Chesterfield, Missouri; John Luke Jr. of Olathe, Kansas; Kristina (Martino) Dawn of Lenexa, Kansas; and Amber (Seth) Blakley of Liberty, Missouri.

She had nine great-grandchildren, Andrew Luke, Paige Elston, Elizabeth Luke, Allen Kinney Jr., Andrew Kinney, Audryanah Blakley, Alexis Blakley, Amiya Blakley, Carter Blakley; and two great-great grandchildren, Allee Kinney and Avy Kinney.

Preceding her in death was a son, Michael Anthony; two granddaughters, Jasmine Elston and Kandace Clark; and her late husband, the Rev. Curtis Reece. She also leaves a host of family and friends to cherish her life.