Dr. Judith Rebecca Joyner

Dr. Judith (Judy) Joyner, a native of Yonges Island, S.C., was compassionate, adventurous, and had a wonderful sense of humor.  She was devoted to education and the welfare of animals. A self-proclaimed cut up in grade school, Judy attended Berry College then earned B.S. and M.A. degrees from Appalachian State University, and a Ph.D. from University of South Carolina. She is listed in Who’s Who of American Women, ODK and was president of the South Atlantic Philosophy of Education Society. Judy joined The American National Red Cross Overseas Service in 1945, serving for eight years in Holland and Germany. Assigned to a Show Mobile Touring Unit entertaining U.S. troops, Judy said the “boys” got a kick out of irreverent lyrics put to popular music. In a civilian capacity for the Army she helped evacuate displaced German citizens from occupied territories across central and Eastern Europe. She also instructed at University of Heidelberg, studied voice with the leading soprano of the Manheim Opera, traveled extensively, skied in the Swiss Alps and witnessed the Nuremburg International Military Tribunals from the Visitors’ Gallery. In 1952 Judy returned stateside and continued in civil service in Philadelphia. Two years later she enlisted in the U.S. Army as First Lieutenant, assigned as personnel officer in Alabama and New York. Returning to her beloved South Carolina in 1956, Judy earned a Doctor of Philosophy Degree from USC, then accepted a professorship in their Graduate School of Education. Dr. Joyner retired in 1983 as Professor Emeritus. Retiring to Sun City Center, FL, Judy played tennis with gusto into her early 90s and drove her spunky Dachshund “Pooch” around town in her golf cart.  In 2014 she and her calico cat Pansy moved to Suwanee, GA to be near family. Judy continued to entertain us with funny faces and witty remarks, quote Shakespeare, ancient philosophers and the wisdom of Charlie Brown. Her entire life was an example of selfless compassion and service.  Judith Joyner will always be our hero, and she will be greatly missed. Judith is predeceased by her parents, Rev. and Mrs. E. L. Joyner, Sr., her brother, Ernest Luther Joyner, Jr. and nephew Charles Thomas Joyner.  She is survived by nephews William Joyner of Orlando, FL and Robert Joyner of Hollywood, FL, niece Jean Joyner Sias and husband John Sias of Sugar Hill, GA, great nephews Justin Sias and wife Holly Lang of New York, NY and Jeremy Sias and wife Angela Sias of San Jose, CA., great niece Jessica Sias Wilson and husband Simon Wilson of York, England, and great-great nieces Isabelle Peach Sias, Violet-Evie Wilson and Vienna Rose Wilson. Friends and relatives of Dr. Joyner are invited to attend her gravesite service 11:00 am on Friday, Nov. 25, 2016 at St. Paul’s Parish Cemetery, 4981 Chapel Rd., Yonges Island, SC 29449.  In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the historic  St. Paul’s Parish Cemetery, Yonges Island.