/fit-in/200x300/filters:fill(white)/prod/786/550877/FfJhNxTzhulrolmzJoyner.jpg)
Obituary For James O. Joyner, Jr.
Mr. James O. Joyner, Jr., 69 of Phenix City, AL passed Saturday, August 22, 2026 in Columbus, GA.
Funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. EST on Wednesday, September 9, 2026 in the C.T. Chapel of Taylor Funeral Home with Rev. Harrison Ford officiating. Public viewing will be held from 1:00 p.m to 5:00 p.m. EST on Tuesday, September 8, 2026 at Taylor Funeral Home.
Ret. SSG Joyner received his early education at Maury High School and later attended Chattahoochee Valley Community College (CVCC) to achieve his Associates Degree. He continued on to Troy State University to earn his Bachelor's Degree.
Ret. SSG Joyner served his country in the United States Army. He enlisted on December 31, 1979. He attended Basic Training at Fort Benning, GA and Advance Individual Training at Fort Ord, CA, where he was awarded the MOS 11M, Mechanized Bradley Fighting Vehicle Infantryman. His permanent change of station (PCS) moves consisted of duty assignments in Fort Clayton, Panama, Fort Dix, NJ, Gelhausen, Germany, and back to Fort Benning, GA where is Army Career started and ended.
During his Army Career, Ret. SSG Joyner awards and decorations included the Army Commendation Medal (2nd Award), Army Achievement Medal (2nd Award), Army Good Conduct Medal (5th Award), National Defense Service Medal, Non-Commissioned Officer's Professional Development Ribbon with Numeral 3, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon (2nd Award) and Expert Infantryman Badge.
Ret. SSG Joyner retired honorably on March 28, 1995, achieving the title of Staff Sergeant. After retiring honorably from the Military, Ret. SSG Joyner settled in Phenix City, AL. He was known as "Joyner" to his friends but to his family he was βBoonie or Junie β. He enjoyed fishing, playing dominoes and jazz music.
Ret. SSG Joyner was predeceased by his parents James O. Joyner Sr., mother Laura Joyner, sisters MaeLois Joyner Goode and Marla Denise Joyner.
Survivors include one son and two daughters, Jason O. Joyner and Teala J Sykes (mother Jonita Joyner) of Al, Nakia Chambliss (Rashaad) of VA; three sisters Carolyn Joyner Gay, Dale Joyner Miller of VA, Noreen Joyner Washington of NC; one brother, Merle Joyner of Va; four grand daughters, six grandsons, seven great grand children and a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and friends.
Send flowers to the service of James O. Joyner, Jr.
Photos & Video
Condolences & Tributes
Add A Condolence
Beautiful Dreams was sent for James O. Joyner, Jr. - September 07, 2026
Our sincerest sympathies are with you during this difficult time. Your father was a wonderful man, full of strength, laughter and goodness. His spirit will live on in our hearts. Mac/family, Aunt Ree
Sacred Duty Spray was sent for James O. Joyner, Jr. - September 07, 2026
Sending our love to the Joyner family during this time of grief. Kia, we love you and will truly miss your dad dearly. Love The Sowells & Your 1410 CC Family
1 Trees were planted in memory of James O. Joyner, Jr. - September 04, 2026
We are sorry for your loss. We will keep you and your father in our thoughts and prayers. Our hearts go out to you and your dad. We love you brother and we wish you peace. From your old stall 216.
Everlasting Memory Standing Spray was sent for James O. Joyner, Jr. - September 04, 2026
We are sorry for your loss. We will keep you and your father in our thoughts and prayers. Our hearts go out to you and your dad. We love you brother and we wish you peace. From your old stall 216.
The Loving Light Dishgarden was sent for James O. Joyner, Jr. - August 30, 2026
Our hearts are with you during this difficult time. Please know that you and your entire family are in our thoughts and prayers. Ethel, Colvin, Gwendolyn, Lynwood, and Raponzell.
My Prayers and Condolences to the Family. May God's Overflowing Love, Grace, Mercy, and Comfort be with each of you throughout this time of Sorrow πππ
May you find peace in the memories you shared. My condolences to you and your family. Thanks for the visits in Frankfurt, Germany, Fort Dix, New Jersey, and Fort Benning, Georgia. I lost a Battle buddy and will always remember the war stories we shared with each other, field duties, deployments, and going to war.
To the family and friends of my brotherly cousin, "Boonie" Sending my heartfelt condolences for your loss. Like you, we will miss him dearly and the find memories we shared. Praying for strength through prayer, peace and comfort during this time. Know that love never dies as you carry his love and joyful spit in the days to come. Cousin Mac, aka Butch and family. Auntie Vannah Galloway
Uncle Boonie. Where do I start. My whole life you have been more than an uncle to me. I have loved you more than you knew, because you were someone in my older adult life that always in my life near or far. We always text each other on our special occasions with me always ending with love Whitney. The name Aunt Jonita came up with.private joke. Lol. And forty plus years later I still signed off with love Whitney. My greatest memory is going to be when you suprised me last year for thanksgiving, You and Jason and sat up talking with me knowing we were both tired. Lol. But you gave me that personal time God know I needed and I'm glad the next morning my husband was able to fix you and Jason a nice breakfast before you all hit the road. The thanksgiving before that you surprised me again with your daughter Nakia.Those Surprises will be the memory I hold the dearest because it was a day in which we celebrated what we were Thankful for. God couldn't have planned it better because that day symbolized for me just how much I was Thankful for having you as an Uncle. Love Whitney.
/religious/cross-draped.jpg)
Our deepest sympathies on the transition of Joyner. We met while in the Army station in Panama. We enjoyed and had good times. Surely will be missed
Jay, I am grateful for the good times your dad and I shared. Your dad was very special to our family. We were not only neighbors, but we were also friends who spent many days working closely together cutting grass. Joyner was truly one of a kind: funny, smart, and loved by everyone who knew him. He will be deeply missed by all of us. Our deepest condolences to the family. Sonny & Janice Wells
My sincere condolences, thoughts and prayers during this most difficult time for you all.
Condolences to the family. Keeping you lifted in thought and prayer. May the Lord bless and comfort you during this time. "The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace." Numbers 6:24-26 Abundant Blessings, Stella
/religious/dove.jpg)
" With Heart felt sympathy. May God peace Surround you. His love comfort you and His promises give you strength today and always. The Lord is a Strong tower even in time like this. "LOVE" BLESSINGS. Ronald/Lucy Clark@family
Jay was a very Kind person to be around.we always talked when when he attended family events with my niece Toni. Rest In GOD ARMS CONDOLENCES to the family. πAunt Linda
Jay you have been in my mom life for over 20 yrs, & you became a part of our family. You took the honor to be my son's papa for almost 10 yrs. He misses you dearly. & Thank you for always be a father figure for me & my brother. You are and will remain a great man..You are truly missed. We love you.
My Uncle Boonie was the Greatest Uncle any Kid growing up in Lambert's Point could ever ask for. He was a Uncle, Brother and Father figure to me throughout my entire life. His Birthday was March 15, mine is March 14, may I add he's way older than me (smile). But not a year went by without him calling me on my Birthday "Happy Birthday Darling, It's been a long time!" We'd laugh and he'd always say I'll talk to you tomorrow, and like clock work the next day I'd give him a call, "Happy Birthday Old-Man!" Our Birthday's meant something Special to us. He shared with me this year that when I was born he was in the Hospital as well having had surgery and we both were coming home the same day, He shared a Cab ride with my Mother and held me in his lap the whole way home. I have so many Stories, So many good laughs, so many good times. Uncle Boonie you are the Best, I love you so much. Say hello to my Brother Jeff... With all my Heart Your Niece Adrienne "CoCo" Joyner
I'm sorry for you all loss a wonderful friend, a father figure to my nephew, words can't explain he was man you can't love. He will be miss rest in heaven papa jay
With Love and Deepest Sympathy To the family of my beloved cousin James Jr., my heart goes out to all of you during this difficult time as you grieve his transition from this life. James Jr. was a special part of our family, and his presence will truly be missed. May the memories of the love, laughter, and moments you shared with him bring comfort to your hearts in the days ahead, Cousin Reginald Clark & Family
To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. Earth has no sorrow that Heaven cannot heal. Missing you brother. Love you more. Big Sister Carolyn β€οΈ
My best friend I miss you so much. I wish you were here. God knew best. Love you. Gone to soon π
Our deepest condolences to the family. Rest in paradise J. A friend gone to soon.
To the family, At times like this, there never seems to be enough to say and no healing words, but times seems to heal most wounds. Not even knowing seems to prepare us for death. Remembering the good times always brings the smiles, laughter and warm feeling to your hearts. May God continue to bless and hold you in his forever healing arms as you cherish James' memories...Family friend Betty
Our staff will continue to keep your family in our prayers. We thank you for allowing us to serve your family.