Walter R. Joyner

Trustee Walter Raleigh Joyner, the son of Haywood Clark Joyner and Serena Perry Joyner, was born March 30, 1928, in Rocky Mount, North Carolina. He grew up on a small tobacco farm in Little Easonburg, a populated place within Rocky Mount, with his siblings Mary Everett Joyner (Berry), Haywood Clark Joyner, Jr. (deceased), and Herbert Lee Joyner (deceased). Trustee Joyner attended the Easonburg School for a while but loved to work. So, he left school and worked on the farm where he primed and cured tobacco, raised farm animals, tended the fields, and cut and stored wood for the winter, to name a few of his chores. Trustee Joyner was not all work and no play. He loved playing ball, playing horse shoes, fishing, and hunting. Using a BB gun and sometimes a “rabbit box,” he hunted rabbits. In 1951, Trustee Joyner was drafted into the United States Army where he was trained as a medic, served for six years, and attained the rank of corporal. While stationed at Fort Meade he met the love of his life, Gladys Privette English, on a blind date. Following a six month worldwind courtship, they were united in holy matrimony on June 23, 1956. The union was blessed with two children. He was so happy being married to Gladys he married her two more times, renewing their vows on their 25th and 50th anniversaries. They were married for 64 wonderful years. During his post military career, Trustee Joyner worked 2 years as a laborer for Hooper’s Mill and 50 years as a meat cutter and porter for Food Fair, Pantry Pride, Food-A-Rama, and Shoppers Food Warehouse. Throughout his career Trustee Joyner was known for his tremendous work ethic. He arrived early and left late. His favorite quote was “If you’re not going to do it right, don’t do it at all.” Trustee Joyner loved his family. His wife and his two boys were the center of his universe. His favorite past-time was being with his family. Wherever you saw him you saw his family. Trustee Joyner liked sports. His favorite football team was the Pittsburg Steelers, and his favorite baseball team was “The Birds” (the Baltimore Orioles). Trustee Joyner loved to eat. A few of his favorites were porterhouse steak, Carolina barbeque, collard greens, oysters, fried fish, sweet potato pie, and coconut cake. Trustee Joyner enjoyed taking care of his vegetable garden which was 85 percent collard greens and 15 percent string beans and tomatoes. He also loved to travel. His favorite vacations included a road trip across the country with his wife’s cousin, Lumus Privette Jr. and his wife Rosa Lee and his trip to Europe with his son LeMont and his wife Suzan. Trustee Joyner accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior as a young man. For nearly two decades he was an active member of Sweet Hope Freewill Baptist Church where he served on the Trustee Board. When his wife was called to preach he followed her to New Horizon Baptist Church, New Jerusalem Fire Baptized Holiness Church of God of the Americas, and finally White Rock Non-Denominational Church where he served on the Trustee Board until his passing. Trustee Joyner will be remembered most for his humble and kind spirit; and although he was a quiet man, he had a great sense of humor. He loved to talk about his favorite book in the Bible, Romans; and he enjoyed good preaching. You could tell he really enjoyed a sermon when he stood to his feet, made a fist, and shouted; “preach on, preach on.” When Trustee Joyner’s health declined he was blessed with three wonderful care givers, Sharon Lee, Gloria Hodge and Wanda Canady. These ladies treated Trustee Joyner like he was a part of their families. They loved him; and in the last few months and days of his life, they brought him much joy. The family is abundantly grateful for the care and compassion expressed by them to our dear father. Trustee Joyner’s wonderful life will be cherished and remembered by his two sons and their spouses, LeMont E. Joyner (Suzan) and Simeon D. Joyner (Renee); one sister, Mary Berry, one sister-inlaw Jean Joyner; one brother-in-law, Harvey Lee English, Sr.; six grandchildren and their spouses, Kristina D. Leslie (Edward), LeMont E. Joyner, II, Simeon D. Joyner, II (Tiffany), Jamal M. Joyner, Terrell D. Joyner, and Caleb N. Joyner; two great grandchildren, Olivia Joy Leslie and Lucas Walter Leslie; five nieces, Jewel Diane Boubon (Steve), Edith Gwendolyn Johnson, Tawana Collington (Ralph), Sabrina Berry, and Vanesia Joyner; one nephew-in-law, Harvey Lee English, Jr.; devoted family member, Lumus Privette, Jr. (Rosa Lee); and a host of devoted cousins and friends

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Walter R. Joyner

March 30, 1928 - March 4, 2021