Joyce Ann Lutes

Joyce was born in Louisville, Kentucky on February 16th, 1940 to the late Lillie Franklin and Albert Spies. On June 21st, 1958 Joyce married Charles “Butch” Thomas Lutes who survives her. Both Joyce and her husband were baptized, confirmed, married and long term members of Grace Immanuel UCC on Story Avenue.

Joyce worked at Leet’s Flower Cottage, Louisville Cement, owned a gift shop in the Cloister on Chestnut Street, and was a substitute teacher. She was and excellent student graduating from Atherton High School in 1957. After her children started school, she attended Spalding University graduating Summa Cum Laude in 1977 with a BA in psychology.

Joyce enjoyed cruises with her husband and the many trips they took together including San Diego, Hawaii, and Europe. She had a big sweet tooth, especially chocolates, and pies of all types, and loved to get her hair and nails done. Later in life she was limited in her ability to get out of the house but loved to watch the birds and squirrels in the back yard, watching “her” shows, especially In the Heat of the Night reruns, and her 5 dogs over the years including Charlie Too who survives her. She also loved music and had very eclectic tastes ranging from The Gaithers, to John Denver, to Elvis, and even Janis Joplin!

Survivors include her husband of 64 years Charles Thomas Lutes Sr., son Charles Thomas Lutes Jr. (Lisa), daughter Lori Lutes Fields; grandchildren Thomas W. Lutes (Elyse), Tia M. Fields, and Zeb B. Fields (fiance Emma Rickert): sister Nancy Spies Campbell; and her great friend and longtime home health care provider Ruth Maloney.

Joyce is preceded in death by her parents Lillie Franklin Rambo and Albert Spies; her maternal grandparents Elizabeth and Robert Franklin; her aunt and uncle Elizabeth and Raymond Graves; cousin Raymond Graves Jr. and Carol Gray as well as many other aunts, uncles, and cousins.

A funeral service will be held on Sunday April 2, 2023 3pm at Arch L. Heady-Cralle Funeral Home 2428 Frankfort Ave. Louisville, KY 40206. Visitation will be prior to service from 1pm-3pm.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made in Joyce’s name to Grace Immanuel UCC Yogis’ Camp Fund.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.archlheadycralle.com for the Lutes family.