Joyce Joiner

Joyce Elaine Joiner Born June 5, 1928 in Union County, South Dakota. Passed away August 30, 2011 in Aurora, Colorado. Joyce passed away on August 30, 2011 she was 83. Joyce is survived by her husband of 48 years Bob Joiner; her children Harlyn (Amy) Griffith, Sr., Susan (Johnnie) Armor, Bobby (Kim) Joiner; 5 grandchildren, Harlyn Griffith Jr., Christopher (Lisa) Griffith, Daniel (Ericka) Joiner, Brooke Joiner, Joshua Armor. 3 great –grandchildren, Kayla Griffith, Austin Griffith, Logan Amelia Joiner. Brother Gerald (Jenny) Erickson, Sisters Sharon (Bob) McKinney, Judy Champion. Numerous nephews and nieces. She was preceded in death by her parents Edwin and Darlene Erickson, Brothers Darrell Erickson, Ronald Erickson. Visitation, 9-11 am, Tuesday, Sept. 6, Horan & McConaty, 11150 E. Dartmouth Ave., Aurora. Graveside service, 1:30pm, Tuesday, Sept. 6, Fort Logan National Cemetery, Staging Area B, followed by a Memorial Service and Luncheon at 3:00pm at Bethel Lutheran Church, 1450 Airport Blvd., Aurora. Joyce had a full life that included many adventures. As a young girl, Joyce worked on the family farm where she had many responsibilities that included driving the tractor, milking the cows and other numerous chores. She attended Akron-Westfield high school, in Akron, Iowa, and worked as a waitress in Akron, and Elk Point South Dakota. She met her first husband Warren in Elk Point South Dakota. They had 2 children, Harlyn, and Susan. Warren passed away when Harlyn was 2 years old, and Susan was 3 weeks old. Joyce moved to Denver, Colorado with her entire family in 1954. She worked as a waitress in several restaurants in the Denver and Aurora area and not only provided for her two small children but for her family which included her parents and siblings. She worked at the General Motors training school in Denver for a number of years as well. Joyce met her true love Bob, who was stationed at Lowry Air Force Base in May of 1963. Joyce met Bob when he came along with a friend who was visiting one of Joyce's friends. Bob played jacks with Joyce's daughter Susan on the front porch at her home and the two met. Her first date with Bob was at the NCO club at Lowry….then she ""dumped him."" After sleeping on it, she decided to give him a second chance but did not remember his name. Joyce proceeded to call the base quarters, described what Bob looked like and found him. They met for a second date and as they sat on the grass in the front yard, Bob knew he would marry Joyce. Joyce married Bob on October 1, 1963 and moved to Northern California. On November 29, 1964, Joyce gave birth to a son, Robert Louis Joiner Jr. Shortly after the birth of Robert Jr, the family moved to San Antonio Texas where Joyce was a homemaker and provided childcare for neighborhood children. Bob was assigned to Greenland so Joyce became the sole provider for the family in his absence for a year. Upon Bob's return, the family moved to Wichita Kansas where Joyce would care for her family and several of the military family's children. Joyce was blessed with the opportunity to experience different cultures while traveling and living in Turkey for a year. Joyce and her family moved back to the Denver area where Bob retired from the Air Force. She began a career with Colorado Women's College in 1973 as a Domestic Engineer and remained with the college for 19 years. Joyce retired in 1992 to be a homemaker and caregiver for her grandchildren. She and Bob took several summer vacation trips with their grandchildren. Joyce was a member of TOPS Club CO #17 (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) for 20 years and then she transferred to TOPS CO #62 where she graduated to KOPS (Keep Off Pounds Sensibly). Joyce was involved in her churches, first at St. Matthews Lutheran Church and then Bethel Lutheran Church. She participated as an usher, a greeter and helped with the children for Vacation Bible School. Joyce spent a lifetime loving and caring for her family, friends and neighbors. People will always remember her warm smile and the way she made everyone feel loved and welcome. She will be remembered always. ""Who can find a virtuous wife? For her worth is far above rubies. The heart of her husband safely trusts her; so he will have no lack of gain. She does him good and not evil all the days of her life. Her children rise up and call her blessed; Her husband also and he praises her. A woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her own works praise her in the gates."" Proverbs 31:10-12 and 28, 30-31 Joyce was a virtuous woman. Please share memories of Joyce and condolences with her family by selecting the ""Sign Guestbook"" link below.