Joyce Ann Graves

The eternal spirit of Joyce Ann Graves, beloved sister, auntie, sister in-law, buddy to so many, and mentor of all was set free from her body early Saturday morning, October 10, 2026. Joyce was born on July 20, 1948 at St. Elizabeth Hospital, Covington, Kentucky to Mary (Gaitskill) Graves and Kreko Graves. Her family moved to Erlanger in 1958. Both parents died in 1997. She was the younger sister of Lawrence L. Graves who preceded her in death in 2004. She had one younger sister, Gayle Graves Holten (Scott) of Verona, Kentucky. Joyce leaves her love and wisdom in the hearts of her nieces and nephews and grand niece and nephews. Jerry Holten Zwosta, (Lisa) and grandnephew, Mason. Ian Holten (Jesse) and grandnephews, Levi and Carter. Jenny Holten Arther, (Joe)and grandniece, Mackenzie and grandnephew, Grafton. Joyce graduated from Erlanger Lloyd Highschool in 1966 and attended Eastern Kentucky University in Richmond, Kentucky where she completed a BA degree, double major in History and English and was certified to teach secondary education. It was there that she made two forever friends, Jim Pellegrinen and Ernesto Scorsone. She taught at Campbell County High School for a few years when she decided to change her career path and became a caseworker in child protective services in Kenton County with the Kentucky Department for Community Based Services. Then in 1977, Joyce moved to Freedom, Maine, where she established a simpler way of life. She found community with her dear childhood friend, Toni Brown Farrell and made many more life long friends along the way. She expanded her studies at the University of Maine and became a certified counselor and began to work with victims of domestic violence. In 2001, she returned to Kentucky to be closer to her sister and family, resumed her work with Kentucky Community Based Services as a child protective service worker and once again found community in individuals who were committed to working to make this world safer for children. Joyce also had a passion for animals and bred, raised, trained and showed international field champion Golden Retrievers. She leaves behind her sweet cat, Smokey, who has been her companion for the last 8 years. She taught herself wood working skills and made furniture in her home shop. She was a gifted creator and writer of poetry and some prose. She played her guitar and sang for years as a way to express her thoughts and feelings. She painted in oils. Joyce had no biological children of her own. As her days on earth were drawing down, it became clear that each who met her on life's journey, whether you walked with her for a short time or a life time, realized they had met an authentic nurturer. She knew how to listen and really hear. She knew how to encourage and empower. She knew how to ask the questions that let you find your own answer. She touched co-workers and clients, attorneys and judges, the very young and those growing old, those who shared her causes of equal rights, civil rights and human rights (you know who you are) and those who saw her causes through a different lens. She worked for justice, she sought mercy and she walked humbly with her God.

She will be remembered.