Luke Penn was born on March 30, 1889 to Rev. Alexander A. Penn and Mrs. Bunch Miles Penn and a life-long resident of Powder Springs. Luke married Charity Young (1896-1962) in 1913 and had 14 children. Charity was the daughter of Sandy Young, a prominent and popular barber who practiced in downtown in the Lewis Building.

Luke built on the original site of his grandfather Rev. Alec Penn house in the early 1900’s. The house and property is located at the corner of Atlanta Street and Lewis Road. It is still occupied by a member of the Penn family. His grandfather, Rev. Alec Penn was a prominent religious leader in Cobb and Douglas Counties.

Luke is best known for his dedication to his job of janitor (or custodian) at Powder Springs Elementary School where he served for 40 years. He was known, loved and respected by all who knew him. Luke returned this kindness to all those he came in contact with during his life. When the new Powder Springs Elementary School was built in 1984, plans began to be made to try and save the old school building. However, the building was not in any condition to be saved. The County then began plans to build a new Powder Springs Library on the site of the old school. During the planning, it was decided to honor Luke Penn’s service to the school and community.

When the new Library opened in January 2008, it contained a meeting room conceived in a style reminiscent of the old elementary school, which was named for Luke Penn, the school’s long time custodian.

Information on file at the museum collected by Sara Frances Miller and other Powder Springs Historians from family members and those who had known Luke. Published in “Images of America – Powder Springs” and on the Cobb County Library Website under Powder Springs location. Funeral notice dated in 1969 when Luke passed. Also, the New Hope Missionary Baptist Church.