Mrs. Jessie Joyner, age 96, of the Tyus community passed away Sunday, March 17, 2013. She was born August 26, 1916, in Carrollton to the late Mr. Lemuel and Mrs. Beatrice Bailey.

She was a homemaker and the oldest member of Tyus Baptist Church. She taught Sunday school for 46 years, was pianist at church for 59 years, and was assistant pianist at time of death. She read her Bible daily and loved gospel music. Mrs. Joyner lived by the Word and always had a smile for all those she came in contact.

Besides her parents, preceding her in death is her loving husband, Lloyd H. Joyner; grandson, Jason K. Joyner; six brothers and five sisters.

Survivors include two sons and daughters in law, Jack and Judy Joyner and Lynn and Lucy Joyner; daughter and son-in-law, Beatrice and Rev. G.W. Burson, all of the Tyus Community; five grandchildren, Mark and Donna Joyner, Debbie and Tony Lovvorn, Robbie Burson, April Burson, and Justin and Megan Joyner; seven great-grandchildren, five great-great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services were conducted Tuesday, March 19, 2013, at 2 p.m. at Tyus Baptist Church with Rev. Justin Richards officating and Rev. G.W. Burson officiating at graveside in the church cemetery. Pallbearers were Wesley Lovvorn, Justin Joyner, Mark Joyner, Robbie Burson, Nathan Burson, Jerome Burson, Larry Lane, and Tony Lovvorn. Honorary Pallbearers were James and Lois Grainer, Johnathan Burns, Jamey Burns, Steve Hightower, and the Friendship Sunday School Class.

The family received friends Monday, March 18, 2013, from 4 to 8 p.m. at Martin and Hightower Heritage Chapel.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Tyus Baptist Church Building Fund.

Messages of condolence may be sent to the family at www.martin-hightower.com.

Martin & Hightower Heritage Chapel, Carrollton.