Wilbert Reginal Joyner, Sr. was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, uncle and above all else he was a man who loved the Lord.  Oh, what a loving Man of God he was! He was baptized in Jesus name and filled with the Holy Spirit under the leadership of his father-in- law, the late Bishop Walter Jackson at Bethlehem Holiness Church. To know him you respected him, loved him for his strong, yet gentle and kind spirit.  A faithful servant to the body of Christ, a fine example of a man of God, honest, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, a happy family man whose smile and laughter permeated the hearts of so many people!

Born January 18, 1948 to the late Ara Hunter and Alfonza Felton Joyner in Rocky Mount, NC,  he graduated from Nash Central High in 1967 and obtained his Bachelor of Science Degree from North Carolina A&T State University in 1971. While at A&T, he was a man of many talents. He participated in the Army ROTC, president of the Student Union Advisory Board and a disc jockey for the campus radio station known as WR, "The Deacon ."   It was through his involvement with the military organization, Scabbard and Blade, that he met a young lady by the name of Doris Jackson, who became his forever sweetheart and later his wife in 1975.  According to her she knew he was the one simply by hearing his voice.  They married July 26, 1975 and moved to Fayetteville, NC continuing his career with the Xerox Corporation as a senior service technician.

In 1978, Wilbert and Doris relocated to Winston-Salem. He initially stayed with his in-laws the late Bishop and Mother Jackson while his wife finished her school year in Fayetteville, NC. It was during this time that their love for Wilbert deepened, and Mother Jackson happily fed him all of his favorites.   Their love and respect for their son-in- law was evident, as they called him Joyner and later when he reached the title of Deacon, Deacon Joyner.  His position as Deacon would be a title he wore with honor.  Under the title of Deacon, Wilbert wore many hats from finance committee to choir member; he was a willing worker at church. He continued to serve as Senior Deacon at New Bethlehem Apostolic Church until his passing.  Wilbert also served as the National President of the Apostle Church of Christ in God as President of the Deacon and Brotherhood Auxiliary and on the Finance Committee too. He enjoyed working for the Lord.

The young couple moved into the Stonewall community in 1978 and participated in The Stonewall Community Association Inc. in various capacities. Deacon Joyner grew into the family man and man of the church that so many of us knew and loved.  If he could help he would render his quiet but detailed expertise in the matter, at times with the help of duct tape or electrical tape and YouTube.  Wilbert could fix almost anything.  Wilbert retired from the Xerox Corporation with 34 years of outstanding service. He then worked with the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County School System for 10 years as a home school coordinator along with being a volunteer for many years with the Meals on Wheel Program.

He was a devoted husband. His children call themselves blessed to have grown from the love those two shared.  The two of them traveled across the country, up and down the east coast, across waters and over to Hawaii on their many adventures. He was an outstanding father.  Ruling his children with much love, joy and generosity, he was an exemplary example of a good father to BJ and Kasey.  He was a very, very, happy and proud Daddy!  His nieces and nephews near and far knew Uncle Wilbert to be a man that was reliable, loving and supportive. He was always there for them.   Wilbert loved his family.

Wilbert Joyner was a faithful servant of God, a man of his word and of the Word, and a man who loved his family.  He will leave a host of friends and family that will sorely miss him.

He was preceded in death by his father, Alfonza Felton Joyner; and beloved mother, Ara Hunter Joyner;  his brother, Monte Joyner;  brother-in-law, Lewis Jackson; and sister-in-law, Edna Jackson.

He is survived by his loving wife of 45 years, Doris Jackson Joyner of the home; his children, Wilbert, Jr.(Jennie) of Austin, Texas and Kasey Joyner-Thompson(Marlyn) of Raleigh, NC; his grandchildren, Kyrie and Nova Joyner and Ava Thompson; siblings, Ara Bullock of Bowie, MD, and Lee Joyner (Jean) of Fort Washington, MD; sisters-in -law, Cora Joyner of Forestville, MD, Vickie Kyle (John) of Laurel, MD, and Marlene Jackson of Winston-Salem, NC; brother-in-law, Walter Jackson, Jr.(Linda) and friend-law, Larry Vick; a host of nieces and nephews; special caregivers, Julia Brown, Lee Price and Sheila Greenwood; loving and helpful neighbors, Clenzo and Lorraine Barringer; and a host of other relatives and friends.

Only God can heal these broken hearts of ours, but we thank you for the love, joy and care given to us down through the years!

Rest well! We will miss you!

Funeral services will be held  at 12:00noon Friday, October 4, 2019 at St. Matthews Apostolic Church with Elder Gregory Robertson, Sr. officiating and Elder Edward Lowery, Sr. eulogist. Interment will follow in Forsyth Memorial Park. The family visitation will be held from 11:00am until 12:00noon on Friday at the Church.