Joy A. Banks Lehr, artist, designer, teacher, entrepreneur, enlightened spirit and mentor to all who knew, respected and loved her. She was a resident of Baton Rouge, La., a native of Morton, Miss., and a former resident of Vicksburg. She passed away on Friday, May 29, 2009. She was 81. Services will be at Greenoaks Funeral Home in Baton Rouge at 2 p.m. today. Interment will be in Greenoaks Memorial Park.

Ms. Lehr is survived by three daughters, Tere Banks of Columbus, Ohio, and Paula Glen DeTrafford and her husband, Shelden, of Walker, La., Tina Joy Henson and her husband, David, of Mandeville, La.; a son, George Banks and his wife, Pam, of Montesanto, Wash.; grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Elisabeth Huffman and her husband, Dan, and children Anson and Chase, of Columbus, Kathryn Luther of Columbus, Rebecca Joy Ramsey and her daughter, Sophia Joy Andres, of Walker, Amy Ganucheau of Mandeville and Melissa Joy Banks of Montesanto; three stepchildren and eight step-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband Dick Lehr; her son, Sharp W. Banks III; her brother, Paul Alford; and her parents, Margel and Carrie Alford. She graduated from Mississippi College and New York School of Interior Design. She was a real estate broker in Baton Rouge for many years.