Obituary: James Edward Luna

James Edward Luna of Nashville, Tennessee, formerly of Memphis, was 99 when his faith became sight. On Tuesday, December 26, 2023, he passed peacefully from this life.

James was born on April 7, 1924, in Walnut, Mississippi to James Lafayette and Myrtle Lucile (Boyd) Luna. He met Mary Shelly while teaching at Grand Junction High School. After a brief courtship of three months, they married on Valentine’s Day 1958. They were lovingly devoted to each other for 44 years.

James’ life was marked by service to God and others. During WWII, he served in the Army Air Corps. Afterward, he spent his career as a teacher, teaching in small communities in Mississippi and Tennessee, and finally retiring from Memphis City Schools in 1984. He was a member of the Church of Christ, and for many years served as an elder at Wooddale Church of Christ in Memphis. He loved (and he loved BIG) his family, friends, strangers, and most importantly the Lord! James will be remembered for his faithfulness, generosity, and daily acts of kindness. 

James was preceded in death by his parents, loving wife, dear sister, Hazel Luna Graves, niece, Jill Graves Clyburn, and beloved grandson, David Farra Dutton.

Surviving are his daughters, Mary Martha (Billy) Dutton and Shelly (Neal) Thomas; three grandchildren, Meredith (Eric) Combs, Olivia (Chase) Whiting, and James (Lauren) Dutton; three great-grandsons, Grey Combs, Knox Combs, and Baby Whiting arriving in May; many nieces and nephews; and a host of friends. His grandchildren and great-grandchildren will always treasure their memories of “Poppy”.

A Celebration of Life will take place at Germantown Church of Christ, Germantown, Tennessee on Sunday, April 7, 2024, at 1 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Children’s Homes Inc., 5515 Walcott Road, Paragould, Arkansas, 72450 or The David Farra Dutton Memorial Endowed Scholarship Fund at Memphis Harding Academy, 1100 Cherry Road, Memphis, Tennessee 38117.