Joyce Barnes

Joyce Luecke Barnes, 92, entered eternal life on April 26, 2024. A beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, as well as daughter, sister, aunt and friend. She was born in St. Louis to her parents, Rose and Ray Luecke. She lived her childhood in the St. Louis area and attended Washington University, where she was a member of the Gamma Phi Beta sorority. There she met and fell in love with Richard G. “Dick” Barnes. They married shortly after graduation on May 28, 1955, and were together for 36 years. She was preceded in death by her parents; her beloved husband; sister, Virginia Luecke Sobo and niece, Gwenn Sobo Fontana. Survivors include her son, Jim Barnes of St. Louis, Missouri; daughter, Nancy (Marc) Cacciarelli of St. Louis, Missouri; grandchildren: Anna (Chase) Gray, Jimmy Barnes, Alex (Becca) Cacciarelli, Chris (Brooke) Cacciarelli and Nick Cacciarelli; and 2-month-old twin great-grandchildren, Charles and Caroline Gray. Joyce was a woman of many talents and interests. She was a master seamstress and created many heirloom treasures through the art of knitting, crochet, cross stitch, needle point, intricate quilting and smocking. She loved chocolate and ice cream, holidays, and baking, she was a Zoo Friend and bird lover, an exceptional gardener and cook. She was an avid fan of anything sports and rarely missed the hundreds of sporting events for her children and grandchildren. She faithfully followed the STL Cardinals, NFL and college football, March Madness, and the Boston Celtics. She loved her country, and the American flag was always visible at her home. But most important in her life was her family and her faith in Jesus Christ. Joyce was always serving others in and out of her home. Offering prayers, meals, companionship, and the gift of time. For 70 years she was a member of Central Presbyterian Church, she volunteered as a teacher in the 4-year-old Sunday School class, participated in bible study groups, community outreach, helping in the church kitchen and the Central blood drive. During COVID she knit 400 baby hats for Nurses for Newborns. Joyce was a silent servant and was dearly loved by so many. The family would like to thank the loving and devoted assisted living staff at Aberdeen Heights for their exceptional care for the past six months. A ceremony to celebrate Joyce’s life will be held on Saturday, May 18, 2024, at 10:30 a.m., at Central Presbyterian Church, 7700 Davis Drive, Clayton, Missouri, 63105. A private family inurnment will take place at Valhalla Cemetery, where Joyce will be buried with her husband. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions be made to Westminster Christian Academy, 800 Maryville Centre Drive, Town and Country, Missouri, 63017, or Central Presbyterian Missions Ministries, 7700 Davis Drive, Clayton, Missouri, 63105.

Joyce Barnes

February 16, 1932 - April 26, 2024