Gladys Marie Joyner's Obituary
Gladys Marie Joyner, daughter of Mahlon Henderson and Martha Lena (Robison) Smith, was born September 26, 1914, in Bessie, Arkansas. She departed this life Wednesday, February 21, 2007, in Christian Healthcare South, in Lebanon, Missouri, at the age of ninety-two years, four months, and twenty-five days. On December 22, 1959, she was united in marriage to Wilbur Charles “Bill” Joyner, and together they shared almost forty years before his passing on October 25, 1999. She was also preceded in death by her parents; a granddaughter, Aleta Burch; and seven brothers and sisters. Gladys is survived by two daughters, Alvetta Atwell, of Sparta, Missouri, and Madge Jennings, and her husband, Robert, of Lebanon, Missouri; a son, Paul Vandaveer, and his wife, Nadean, of Conway, Missouri; seven grandchildren, Alan Burch, Boyd Burch, Michael Jennings, Diana Jennings, Brenda Huddleston, Kelly Vandaveer, and Kevin Vandaveer; twelve great-grandchildren, Sarah, Adam, Robert, Brandon, Paige, Tia, Adam John, Shayla, Rushelle, Kristen, Kelsey, and Justin; a great-great-grandchild, Nathan; a sister, Eunice Vandaveer, of the State of Washington; several nieces and nephews; five stepchildren, Kathy Kirker, Judy Cole, Kenneth Joyner, John Joyner, and Chuck Joyner; a number of step-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren; as well as a host of other relatives and many friends. She was born and raised in Arkansas, and continued to make her home there into her adult years. She then moved to Madison, Illinois for a few years before going to St. Louis, Missouri. After she and Bill were married, they made their home in many different places, including Panama and Germany, while he was serving in the military. They eventually moved to Lebanon, Missouri, where besides being a devoted homemaker, Gladys also worked at the Rice Stix Factory and in the tailor shop at Fort Leonard Wood for a few years. Gladys had made her profession of faith in Christ and was a member of South Five Church of Christ in Lebanon. She also belonged to the V.F.W. Post # 4107 Ladies Auxiliary for several years. She had a style for fashion, liked dressing up, and had a passion for jewelry. She possessed a delightful sense of humor and loved to laugh. Her family was very important to her and she especially enjoyed all of her grandchildren. Gladys was a loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, great-great-grandmother, sister, and aunt, and was a caring neighbor and friend. We celebrate her life and her accomplishments and will cherish the wonderful memories she created for her family and friends. Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, February 26, 2007, in the Holman-Howe Chapel, Lebanon. Burial will be in Mount Rose Memorial Park. Visitation will be held Sunday from 4 - 5:30 p.m. under the direction of Holman-Howe Funeral Home of Lebanon, Missouri. Memorials to the Children's Home in Strafford, Missouri may be made through the funeral home.
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