Joyce Kirklin Lute was born July 8, 1945, and passed away September 21, 2025, at the age of 80.

Joyce is survived by her loving sons: Richard and Roderick Kirklin; beloved grandchildren: Summer Joselena Johnson and Ryesha Lashell Gillespie; great - grandchildren Amoura Jolie Johnson and Messiah Mickel Robins. She is also lovingly remembered by her siblings: sister Barbara Lavan and husband Herbert, brother Jerry Lewis Kirklin, sister-in-laws Rosetta Kirklin, and Rosie Kirklin and brother-in-law Rev. Edward Lee Brown.


She is preceded in death by her late husband; Harold Lute, her parents; Robert Kirklin, Sr. and Willie Mae Kirklin, her loving son; Gerald Lloyd Cole, and her brothers: Rev. Ernest Kirklin, Robert Kirklin, Jr., Billy Kirklin, and Rev. Bruce Kirklin, her sisters; Minister Alternette K. Hall and Minister Ella Mae Kirklin Brown.

Joyce was a woman of deep faith, and Christian counselor. She was a former member of United Christian Fellowship and current member of Living Word Christian Center. She was also a former member of Crowns of Glory dance ministry. She dedicated her life to the church, community, and serving in ministry.

She enjoyed spending time with her beautiful family, traveling, going on daily walks, reading a good book, doing her crossword puzzles, working in her yard, and most of all collecting angels where she has over 1,000 in her collection. She was a graduate of Allen High School in Oakdale, La and graduated from Sowela Technical College.

Joyce will be greatly missed by her friends and family.
The family will receive friends Saturday, October 4, 2025, from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the memorial service at 11:00 a.m., in the Reed Chapel at Riley Smith & Sons, 315 N 14th Street, Kinder, Louisiana. Bishop Rodney Botley and Bishop Joseph Banks will be officiating. A repast will be held in the Smith Hall immediately following the service.