The Rev. Dennis Ray Joyner, 72, of Roanoke Rapids and a local pastor, passed away peacefully in his home, surrounded by his family.
Dennis was born on Dec. 10, 1953, in Halifax County and was adopted by the late Willie Lee and Gladys Deberry Joyner.
Dennis was a loving and caring person who never met a stranger. He always had a smile and a joke to share. He served the community in many different roles throughout his life. He was with the American Red Cross, opening disaster shelters or food distribution centers when there was a need. He was a first aid/CPR instructor with the American Red Cross. He was a member of the Roanoke Valley Rescue Squad and was a substitute teacher for area schools.
Dennis retired in 2004 after 23 years with the Department of Corrections. He went on to receive his master’s degree in theology from Andersonville Theological Seminary. In 2004, he became pastor of Maranatha Baptist Church in Roanoke Rapids. He was there until 2009. From 2011 to 2016, he was pastor of Reedy Creek Baptist Church in Freeman, Virginia. In February 2016, the Lord called him to become pastor of South Rosemary Baptist Church, where he preached God’s word until the time of his death.
Dennis enjoyed visiting and having Bible study at a few of the area nursing homes, but the one thing he probably enjoyed the most was being a part of the N.C. Highway Patrol Troop C, District 8 (Halifax and Northampton counties) as their chaplain. He loved his troopers, or “the boys,” as they were occasionally referred to. They were his family.
In addition to his parents, Dennis was preceded in death by special aunts and uncles, Catherine and Richard Dickens and Hazel and John Carter Sr., all of whom helped raise him.
He is survived by his loving wife of 53 years, Nancy Nowell Joyner. They would have celebrated their 54th wedding anniversary on Sept. 3. He is also survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Amy and Kevin Lynch of Roanoke Rapids; his grandchildren, Matthew Lynch and Mary Elizabeth Lynch; and his special companion, Teddy, his great-granddog.
He is also survived by his brother-in law and sisters-in-law, Betty Bridgers, Jonnie Miles, Rhonda Turner and her husband, Punk, Robbie Nowell and his wife, Tammy, and Gilda Fowler and her husband, Timmy; a special nephew, Robbie Miles; as well as special cousins, Betty Staton and Ricky Dickens.
The family would like to give a special thank you to Liberty Home & Hospice Care and his nurse there, Shannon, as well as special friends, for the love and care shown during Dennis’ final days. They would also like to thank Dr. Lindsey Tyler and her staff.
A visitation will be held from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 28 at Askew Funeral Home in Roanoke Rapids, which is handling the arrangements. All other times the family will receive friends at the home of his daughter and son-in-law, Amy and Kevin Lynch.
A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 29 at South Rosemary Baptist Church, 1837 Roanoke Ave. in Roanoke Rapids, with North Carolina Highway Patrol Chaplin Matthew Cornett and Chaplin Ralph Thompson officiating. Interment will follow at Cedarwood Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the NCSHP Foundation, P.O. Box 4875, Mooresville, NC 28117; or to the NCTA Caisson Unit, P.O. Box 840, Summerfield, NC 27358.