Deacon Robert Joiner, Jr.

With deepest sympathy, we announce the passing from this life of Deacon Robert Joiner, Jr., 83, a resident of 1664 Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive, Roanoke, Randolph County, Alabama. Mr. Joiner transitioned from this life on Monday, October 10, 2016 at Wedowee Hospital, Wedowee, Alabama.

Deacon Joiner will be available for public viewing and visiting on Friday, October 14, 2016 from 1:00 pm until 6:00 pm, here at the Funeral Home.

Funeral Services will be observed on Saturday, October 15, 2016, at 1:00 O'Clock pm at Peace and Goodwill Baptist Church, 1465 Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive, Roanoke, Alabama. Pastor L.B. Houston will serve as Officiant and Eulogist. Deacon Joiner will lay In State at Peace and Goodwill Baptist Church one hour prior to the funeral on Saturday.

Serving as active Pall Bearers will be Anthony Dunn, Chris Treadwell, Calvin Staples, Robert Nolan, Anthony Trammell, Larry Owensby, Arnold Green, and Chris Marable.

Honorary Attendants include: Darius and Demarcus Joiner, Kevin Adamson, and Travis Hudson.

Burial will follow in Skyview Memorial Gardens Cemetery, Welch, Alabama.
On Monday afternoon, October 10, 2016, having reached the height of his life, at the seasoned age of 83, Deacon Robert Joiner, Jr. joined the ranks of -- not the many -- but the precious few strong African American men who courageously chose to step up and help reshape the destiny of Roanoke, Randolph County, Alabama. Although the family did everything they could do to relieve his pain and keep him here with them, it was God's will that he should go home and be with the Lord.

Robert was born June 12, 1933, to the parentage of the late Robert (Bob) and Christine (Zackery) Joiner in Chambers County, Alabama. His family of origin included brothers: Justice (deceased), Jim, Leon and George; and sisters: Lera (deceased), Lucille, Nina, Ethel, Betty, Gertrude, Liz and Catherine. In addition to his beloved parents and two siblings, Robert was preceded in death by a brother-in-law, Willie Lewis. When he came on the scene, the world was silently tolerant of Jim Crow Laws. But, with the passage of time, he became one of the key players in challenging these practices.

From July 6, 1954 until July 6, 1956, Robert served our grateful nation in United States Army during the Korean Conflict. During his tour of duty, he was decorated with the National Defense Service Medal, Army Of Occupation Medal and Good Conduct Medal. He was honorably discharged from active duty at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, having risen to the rank of Corporal.

On December 22, 1956, he married the love of his life, Betty Owensby and their union gave rise to seven wonderful children: Michael, Robert Alton, Joseph, Diane, Anita, Casey and Pam. From that point forward, he proved himself to be a family-centerted man seeking a God-centered life.

Throughout his life, Robert continually evolved into the kind of person who was always seeking higher ground; a better standard of living; better associates; better opportunities for advancement. He remained on a mission to perfect himself. To that end, he was an enthusiastic member of the Peace and Goodwill Baptist Church, where he was instrumental in re-building the present church building, and served for many years as Sunday School Superintendent, member of the Deacon Board and Former Chairman of the Deacon Board. He also served as the Grand Master of Western Lodge #538 F & AM.

In keeping with scripture, Robert was not a man given to slothfulness. Rather, he was industrious, and held down a full-time job working for a number of years at Handley Textile Mills in Roanoke, Alabama. This, the value of hard work, he passed on to his children.

During the tumultuous years of racism openly and widely practiced throughout the southern states, and particularly in Alabama, Robert got involved with the Civil Rights movement, and became a local player in this arena, serving for many years as 1st Vice President, and later President of the Randolph County Branch of the NAACP; the Randolph County Chapter of the Alabama Democratic Conference (ADC), Concerned Citizens of Roanoke and Randolph County, and other freedom-loving organizations. He was always in the inner circle of the coalition of black leaders, who constantly worked to achieve better opportunities for black men, women and youngsters in our community. He was constantly in the company of such local giants as Jesse and Velma Terry, Roy Terry, Rudolph Terry, Wilkie and Hattie Peters Clark, Reverend R.L. Heflin, Bishop Lathonia J. Wright, DeNorris Wofford, and other great local black warriors. It was nothing to devote hours sometime days and months, working tirelessly to get an expelled black child back in school. As a steadfast supporter of both the NAACP and ADC, Robert understood the power of the black vote and was zealous in his quest to register as many black voters as he could, always emphasizing the price that was paid in blood, sweat and tears, for the voting privilege. Robert's own son, Michael was one of the first beneficiaries of his diligent work to establish single-member voting districts, which facilitated his election to the Roanoke City Council.

Consistent with his love for the ideals of liberty, civil rights, and economic advancement, Robert was a business minded man who exercised to the fullest extent his love for entrepreneurship and free enterprise. During his life, he engaged himself in offering numerous services to others among them: bush-hogging; cutting firewood; operating a pulpwood company with a crew of hired helpers; farming; tractor services; extermination services; headstones and monuments; drycleaning pick-up and delivery; and finally, selling cemetery plots. As a matter of fact, the present Skyview Memorial Gardens Cemetery was the "brain-child" of Robert and his father, the elder Robert (Bob) Joiner, Sr. And he was blessed to live to see his children bring it to fruition.

Deacon Joiner transitioned from this life Monday, October 20, 2016 at Wedowee Hospital in Wedowee, Alabama.

Behind him, is a lengthy testimony that bears witness to the manner of man that he was: serving God AND man; reaching out; helping others; supporting and bringing smiles to those around him.

His cherished legacy is carried on by his wife of 59 years Mrs. Betty Joiner of Roanoke, Alabama; sons: Michael J. Joiner (Alfreda), Robert Alton Joiner (Regina), and Joseph Joiner of Roanoke, Alabama; daughters: Dianne McLain of Fairburn, Georgia, Anita Hudson (Bruce) of Hampton, Georgia, Casey Adamson (Sasser) and Pam Morris of Roanoke, Alabama; ten (10) grandchildren: Temeka McLain, Deondra Joiner, Vernecia Joiner, Darius Joiner, Demarcus Joiner, Shannon Sawyer, Travis Hudson, Asia Adamson, Kevin Adamson, and Takira Adamson; two (2) great grandchildren: Kalyn Barnett and Marcellese Pierre Sawyer; brothers: Jim Joiner (Roxie), Leon Joiner (Allison) of Roanoke, Alabama and George Joiner (Michelle) of LaGrange, Georgia; sisters: Lucille Slay and Gertrude Mayers (Douglas) of Atlanta, Georgia, Nina Taylor and Ethel Treadwell (William) of Roanoke, Alabama, Betty Huffman (Marvin) of East Point, Georgia; Elizabeth Perry of Decatur, Georgia; and Catherine Joiner Wheeler of Columbus, Ohio; two brothers-in-law, Arthur James Owensby (Maggie) and Walter Phillips of Roanoke, Alabama; a special friend, Tee Daniel of Roanoke, Alabama; many many loving nieces, nephews, cousins, church brethren, neighbors, and friends.

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