Sarah Nell "Memaw Biddy" Luke eternally joined hands with her late husband and Heavenly Father on Tuesday, April 24, 2018.

Born on November 9, 1933, to the late Mollie and Bill McNeece, she called Philadelphia, Mississippi, home for many years where she met her late husband Willie Earl "Buster" Luke. They were married in 1952 and eventually followed his job with the railroad to Pinson, Tennessee, where they raised their daughters Susan and Cindy. Nell and Buster moved to Columbus, Mississippi, in 1974 and later called Brent, Alabama, home in 1979.

The Lord led them to finally settle in Columbus, Mississippi in 1982, and Nell found her calling at Methodist Senior Services (Trinity Place) assisting residents with housing but mostly entertaining them. She could often be found walking the halls in costume, belting out tunes as she played the piano and any other antic that would elicit a smile. Her quick whit amused her friends and family, and she never let anyone forget that she was the Valedictorian of her class of 13.

In addition to her work at Trinity, she faithfully served her church in the Woman's Missionary Union, played the piano, and shared her love for the Lord with her friends in the Older Kid's group. In her later years, Nell volunteered at Baptist Memorial Hospital as a Pink Lady, never wavering to exemplify the hands and feet of Jesus.

Nell enjoyed good food, especially ice cream, and could often be found cooking for her family. With her famous fried chicken being a family favorite, the grandchildren would fight over the "crispies" left over after the frying. She loved to shop and had the deepest affection for shoes and purses. (even the ones she took back the next day)

Memaw, as she was affectionately named by her great-grandchildren, was so loved and loved her family with an equal fierceness. She will be remembered for her love of life, generosity to others, and infectious smile.

Nell is survived by her daughter and son in law Susan and Jerry Weaver; grandchildren Christy (Chad) Kelsey, Elizabeth (David) Allen, John (Deanna) Weaver; great-grandchildren Cael, Lachlan, and Field Allen; Luke and Riley Weaver- all of Collierville, Tennessee. She is also survived by her daughter and son in law Cindy and Terry Robertson; grandchildren Ame (Rick) Walker and Amber (Brian) Neal; great-grandchildren Taylor Grace Fletcher and Grey Walker- all of Columbus, Mississippi. The family would like to extend a heartfelt thanks to Memaw's special caregivers Kalisha, Shalonda, Sandra, Gloria, Kim, Monet, and Natassia. Additional thanks to her nurses Angie, Crystal, and Lori as well as activity director Nikki for sharing her special gifts with each and every resident at Trinity, just like Memaw once did.

A graveside celebration of her life followed by burial will take place Wednesday, April 25, 2018, at 3:00 p.m., at Mt. Vernon Church Cemetery with Chaplain Ron McDougald officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, St. Jude's Children's Hospital, or Trinity Place Retirement Community.