Luke Austin Branch, 16, of Thomas, passed away Tuesday afternoon, May 9, 2017.

He was a 10th grade student at Pine High School and an active member of New Beginning Baptist Church in Thomas, where he worked with the youth and mentored many of his peers.

Luke loved the outdoors, including hunting, fishing and building camp fires. He enjoyed tending to the family farm animals and goofing off with his big sister. Luke loved music and had recently begun playing the guitar and also like playing video games.

He was the type of young man that was always there to lift others up, continuously making his family and friends laugh with the jokes and tricks he played because he always wanted everyone to be happy. Luke was always a loving son, brother and grandson that cherished every moment spent with his family and friends.

He is survived by: parents, Dawn and Benjamin Cornwell of Baton Rouge, and the Rev. Keith and Megan Branch of Thomas; Luke’s sister and best friend, Carrie Branch of Baton Rouge; six younger siblings, Bridget, Brittany, Brooklyn, Jy, Jade, Kinley; grandparents, Faye Tate of Nampa, Idaho, Pat and Cathy Branch, Debbie Rester, all of Thomas; great-grandmother, Clara Kennedy of Angie; aunts and uncles, Brenda and Jerry Miller, Steven and Heather Branch, Theresa and Byron Stogner; and also survived by numerous other aunts, uncles, cousins and many friends as well as his church family at New Beginning, that he cared for deeply.

He was preceded in death by his grandfather, Jon Tate; great-grandparents Elder R.J. Kennedy, Robert and Chinesey Branch, Andy and Doris Creel, Hubert Rester; and an uncle, Robert J. Kennedy Jr.

Visitation will be at Crain Funeral Home on Sunday, May 14, from 5 p.m. until 9 p.m. and after 9 a.m. on Monday, May 15. A funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. Monday, May 15, in the funeral home chapel with Rev. Eddie Hartfield, Rev. Frederick Brumfield, Elder Billy Ray Hines and Rev. Eric Williams officiating. Burial will follow in the New Beginning Baptist Church Cemetery.

Obituaries can be viewed online at www.crainfh.com.