Luke Arthur

Luke Arthur was born on May 10, 1942, in Lydia, South Carolina, the oldest child of Hazel Arthur, Sr., and Lueanna McFadden Arthur. On January 24, 2025, God sent his angel and quietly took Luke from this earthly world into his heavenly home.
He was educated in the public schools of Darlington County and graduated from Butler High School in 1960 where he played on the varsity baseball team. In November 8, 1963, he married the love of his life, the former Jannie Mae Capers, and this union lasted fifty-eight wonderful years.
Mr. Arthur was a faithful and lifelong member of St. John United Methodist Church in Lamar, South Carolina, where he served in several organizations within the church. He once was the president of the United Methodist Men and "Adopt A Highway Program." Luke was employed at Sonoco Products Company for over 35 years until he retired. After retiring, he served as President of "Sonoco Old Timer's Club."
Luke truly loved baseball, and he joined the Lydia Red Sox team because it was part of his family tradition. In 1963 at the age of twenty-one, he became the head coach of Lydia Red Sox. During his first four years of coaching, he coached his own father.
Luke coached several players from the Lydia Red Sox team that went on to play for major and minor league teams. He coached for nearly 56 years. After so many years of coaching the team, the ballpark where the Red Sox played was named the Luke Arthur Baseball Field in honor and recognition of his accomplishments. Luke was also a founder and creator of the Lydia Community Center.
Mr. Arthur was a 33rd Degree Mason; a life member and Past Worshipful Master of Myrtle Masonic Lodge #64; member and Past Worthy Patron and Associate Patron of Myrtle OES Chapter #56; and a member of the Ashland Consistory #246, Sublime Prince, Grand Inspector General.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Hazel Arthur, Sr., and Lueanna Arthur; father and mother-in-law, Hayes Capers and Viola Capers; brothers, Hazel Arthur, Jr., and Kirk Arthur; sisters-in-law, Lorretta Arthur, Neomia McDuffie, and Deborah Bennett; and brothers-in-law, Samuel McDuffie, Thomas Cook, Evans Bennett, and Eugene Capers.
Those left to cherish his memory are his two daughters, Janelle (Jerome) Graham of Darlington, SC, and Angie (Samuel) Gantt of Bloomfield, NJ; grandchildren, Shawn (Shanique) Gantt, Desmond Graham, Aaron Gantt, LaNesha Graham, and Aliyah Graham; three great grandchildren; brothers, Richard (Lillian) Arthur, Charles Arthur, Clinton Arthur, and Darrell (Rosa) Bell; sister, Elizabeth Durant of Hartsville, SC; sisters-in-law, Lillie Capers, Dollie Cook, and Deborah Arthur, all of Hartsville, SC, and Viola Arthur of Lydia, SC; his brother-in-law, Leroy (Miriam) Capers of Hartsville, SC; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and very dear friends.