Helen Brents Joiner

Joiner, Helen Brents, age 82, of Birmingham, died February 2, 2012. She was born on February 8, 1929 in Birmingham, Alabama to Brents and Helen Conover Joiner. At an early age she joined the Christian Church and was active for many years at various locations.

After graduating from Ramsay High School, she earned an AB degree from Birmingham-Southern College, where she was a member of Phi Beta Kappa. After obtaining a MA degree from Vanderbilt University, she accepted a teaching position at what is now the University of Memphis. She later taught a course at what is now the University of Alabama at Huntsville.

Most of Miss Joiner’s career was in federal civil service. She served in progressively responsible positions at several Department of Defense installations. Her work was recognized when she received a fellowship from the National Institute of Public Affairs for a year’s graduate study at the University of Virginia – one of the first women to receive such an award.

She is survived by her brother, Gordon Joiner, of Washington DC.

A graveside service will be held at 11:30 AM on Thursday, February 9, 2012 at Elmwood Cemetery. Visitation will be from 10:00 until 11:00 AM on Thursday at Johns-Ridout’s Funeral Parlors. Memorials may be made to Friends of Cats and Dogs Foundation at FCDF, PO Box 120298, Birmingham, AL 35213.