Mr. Gary Joyner

Mr. Gary Bennett Joyner was born on September 10, 1950 in Newport News, VA to the late Leonard Columbus Joyner and Bertha Mae (Scott) Joyner. 

Due to working in the coal industry, Gary lost his father at a young age to lung cancer. Growing up with his siblings was not easy in the 1950s and 1960s, but Gary wanted, more than anything, for others to be proud of him and for them to know he was strong. 

Gary would try to accomplish anything asked of him. He loved to recount memories of going to pick up pieces of coal that the train left behind to help his mother cook; how his mother would iron his clothes and, one time, even wrapped them up with a blue ribbon; the red dress she wore in her picture; the last time he saw his father; helping his mother prepare food by wringing the necks of chickens; and working on the watermelon truck to make money for their family. 

His favorite recollection was about meeting the love of his life, Vida Denise (Lunsford) Joyner, in their teenage years. He remembers the song that was playing when they first saw each other at a dance, “The Sweeter He Is” by The Soul Children. He was there with another young lady, left her to dance with Vida, and never looked back. They were married in Newport News, VA on February 23, 1974. 

Gary was drafted into the United States Army on active duty status to serve in the Vietnam War on March 10, 1970, as a generator mechanic. During the war, Gary served with A Co, 523rd Signal Battalion, 23rd Infantry Division. While serving, he reached the rank of Specialist Four and earned the following awards: Bronze Star, Vietnam Service Medal (VSM), Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with 60 device (RVNCM), Army Commendation Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters (ARCOM 2 OLC) and Rifle: Sharpshooter. His Bronze Star award was for fixing a broken generator and keeping it operational for 72 hours with no food or water amidst the chaos of war.
During that time, he defended his unit against random attacks, suicide bomb attacks, and saw many of his fellow comrades lose their life. Also, having to watch in horror as a helicopter, that was bringing the supplies he so desperately needed, get blown up right after landing.

He kept going because he wanted to keep living for the ones that didn’t make it home. After leaving Vietnam, he was re-assigned to the United States Army Reserves at Fort Lee, Virginia and was honorably discharged from the Army on March 13, 1976. 

Gary was fearless, and among the many memories we want to hold on to, was the way he cared for his children when they were sick; nothing could gross him out. There wasn’t a bug or rat he wouldn’t smash with his bare hands, but he himself hated to be sick, and didn’t want to be seen as weak. So, when he wasn’t feeling well, he would paint on a smile and demand that others around him did the same.

Gary would open his home to anyone who needed a place to stay and would give them the shirt off his back and the last dollar in his pocket. He never met a stranger that didn’t become a potential friend. 

Amongst his closest friends were two of his brothers in law Andre “Tony” Lunsford, and Gaston “Lake” Hogwood; cousins Larry, June, Brett, and Robert; and friends Mosheen, Marty, and Paint. However, with his passing, all of the memories we never got to hear, went with him. Still, we remember what we can, and share with love, the joy that Gary brought to everyone, his love of Pinkett’s Beach, and his love of good music. Especially a song he asked his sister Myra to play for him over and over, “Keep Getting It On” by Marvin Gaye. 

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Darnelle (White) Logan. 

Gary Bennett Joyner leaves to cherish his memory: his wife of 52 years, Vida; son Michael Lunsford (m. Carlissa) and granddaughter Alisha Lunsford; daughter Nicole Joyner (partner Charles) and grandchildren Michael Joyner, Demanto Whitlow, Imesha Whitlow; son Maurice Joyner (m. Samantha) and grandchildren Morgan Harris, Brandon Joyner, Brooklyn Joyner, Darin Joyner, and Desiree Joyner; daughter Teresa Everett (m. Eugene) and grandson Jason Johnson; daughter Stephanie Joyner (partner Adonus) and grandchildren Destini-Liyoni Grant, Daisha Joyner, and Devion Joyner; daughter Desiree Swindell (m. Ashley) and grandchildren Amare Strickland and Dominic Strickland; 9 great grandchildren; a bonus son, Corey McEachern; three sisters, Beverly Jones, Myra Joyner, and Brenda Hogwood (m. Gaston “Lake”); three brothers, Christopher Joyner, Michael Powell, and Anthony “Tony” Joyner; and a host of extended family and friends.

Military honors will be at inurnment service  Friday, May 30,2025 at 2:00 PM.

It is the desire of the Joyner/Everett families that you keep them in your thoughts and prayers.

The family of Mr. Gary Joyner has entrusted his final care to C. C. Carter Funeral Home. 

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