JEFF DAVIS COUNTY, Ga. (WALB) - After more than 70 years, a Korean War hero finally returned home to South Georgia on April 30, 2025. Master Sergeant Luther Grace was honored on May 3 with a proper military funeral at Jeff Davis High School’s football stadium.

Master Sergeant Luther Grace passed away at just 34 years old. He was never married and he didn’t have any children. His parents and siblings have all passed away. Grace is survived by his nephew and five nieces. They say they never really got the chance to know their uncle, but they are happy to celebrate his legacy today.

“I know they are all just so glad and thankful knowing that their dad’s brother is home after all of these years,” said Anna Helms, the funeral director.

It was an emotional day filled with red, white and blue in Jeff Davis County. The morning kicked off with a procession through town. From the funeral home all the way to the football stadium, community members cheered and flags lined the streets as Master Sergeant Luther Grace’s casket was escorted by local law enforcement paying their respects to a true hero.

“Just completely overwhelming,” Saralyn Stapleton, one of Grace’s nieces, said. “To see people that don’t know us and didn’t know him, but they are still out here showing their respect and honoring my uncle.”

After the funeral service at Jeff Davis High School, family, friends and veterans from across the state gathered at Fishing Creek Cemetery to lay Master Sergeant Grace to rest with a proper military send off.

“Overwhelming” was the word every single family member used to describe the day. They said that throughout their lives, their father always wondered where his brother was. So many questions about Grace’s life and passing were left unanswered until December of 2024 when the family got a call from the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency saying his remains had been identified.

“It’s overwhelming. It’s wonderful,” said Mariyln Gribble, another niece. “I mean, you know, it’s just something we never thought was going to happen.”

The family said Master Sergeant Grace will be laid to rest next to his parents. They said they know Grace’s parents are looking down at today’s events, smiling, because their son is finally home.

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