Laura Elizabeth Joyner

Obituary For Laura Elizabeth Joyner

Mrs. Laura Elizabeth Joyner, 89, of Lithonia, died Thursday, August 23, 2012. She was the mother of Monica Leonard, David Joyner,Michael Joyner, Norwood Joyner, and Alonzo Joyner.

Celebration of Life service for Mrs. Laura Elizabeth Joyner will be 11:00am Friday, August 31, 2012 at Saint Philip AME Church, 240 Candler Rd., S.E., Atlanta, GA 30317, the Reverend William D. Watley, Pastor. Interment will follow in Southview Cemetery, Kinston, NC. directed by Swinson Funeral Service, 208 E. Blount Street, Kinston, North Carolina 28501, (252) 527-3779.

Local arrangements handled by Grissom-Clark Funeral Home, 227 East Lake Dr., S.E. (at Memorial Dr.) www.grissom-clarkfh.com. 404 373 3191.

Mrs. Laura Elizabeth Biggs Joyner was born July 27, 1923 to the late Nelson Biggs and Nellie Smith Biggs in Brooklyn, New York. She departed this life Thursday, August 23, 2012 at her home in Lithonia, Georgia.

She was raised in Kinston, North Carolina and attended school at Adkin High and Lenior Community College. She grew up in St. John Baptist Church. Later in life, she met Alonza Joyner. They married and she joined his church, St. James AME Church in Kinston, North Carolina where she was a faithful member. She was the Area Chairperson of the North Eastern District of the Missionary Society; Secretary of the Gospel Choir; served as a Stewardess; served as Queen of the Help in Hand Senior Choir; and was also an officer for Church Women United. She moved to Atlanta, Georgia in November 1987 when her grandson, Ryshawn, was born. She retired in 1989 as a caregiver.

Laura “Elizabeth” was a member of St. Paul AME Church on Pryor Road in Atlanta. After moving to Lithonia in 1992, she joined St. Paul AME Church on Stone Mountain-Lithonia Road. She joined Saint Philip AME Church Seniors and Retirees and was a very active member until she became ill. She was also a member of the Piney Grove Shining Stars Senior Group. She truly believed in helping people in need – the life of a missionary.

Elizabeth was preceded in death by her husband, Alonza Joyner; sons, William Arthur Monroe, Arthur Williams and George Joyner; brother, Nelson Biggs; sister, Majorie Biggs Merritt. She leaves to cherish her memory, a devoted and faithful daughter, Monica Leonard, Lithonia, GA; sons, Alonza Joyner (Dena), Rockingham, North Carolina, Norwood Joyner (Barbara), Fayetteville, North Carolina, Michael Joyner (Shelia), Mason, Ohio; a devoted son, David Joyner, Lithonia, Georgia; a loving sister, Flora Bradley Heyward, Jonesboro, Georgia; one brother, Nathaniel Boggs, Durham, North Carolina; twenty-five grandchildren, thirty-eight great grandchildren, three great great grandchildren; a devoted family of nieces, nephews, cousins other relatives and friends.