Celestia Ann Joyner

Celestia Ann Walker Joyner died peacefully on Saturday, March 1, 2025 at the age of 94. Known mostly by her middle name, Ann was born in her family home in Augusta, Georgia on October 30, 1930. She was the youngest of three children born to Llewellyn Grady and Corinne Odom Walker. Her sister, Helen and brother Regi, always looked out for her and let her tag along with them wherever they went.

After graduating from Wesleyan College in Macon, Georgia she worked as a Director of youth and children’s ministries at St. Paul UMC in Spartanburg, SC. Later she enrolled at Scarritt College for Christian Workers in Nashville TN and earned a Master’s in Christian Education and began serving as the Director of Christian Education at First UMC im Morganton, NC. While there, she met and became engaged to her beloved husband, Richard Cleo Joyner. Over their almost 25 years of marriage, they owned and operated a number of small businesses including The Glyn-Ann Motel, Richard’s Moving & Hauling Company and Capital Van and Storage Company. Following Richard Cleo’s death in 1981, Ann continued to operate the two moving companies for another 20 years.

Ann counted as one of her greatest joys the fact that she and her husband raised three daughters: Deborah Ann (Debby), Rebecca Corinne (Becky), and Mary Sue (Sue). Ann loved her children dearly and always looked for ways to help them have fun and experience joy in life. She readily welcomed and embraced into the family her two sons-in-law , Richard Shirley and Charley Davis.

Ann always enjoyed working with children, whether babysitting her nieces and nephews or watching children and planning children’s ministries in the church. However, her greatest joy was in spending time with her two grandchildren, Michelle Shirley and Christopher Davis. While her mind may not have fully comprehended that she was now a great grandmother, her face would light up every time she saw her one and only great grandson, Joey Graham.

Ann was always ready to volunteer her time and talent to help out in any way she could. Her contagious smile and engaging sense of humor endeared her to many. Throughout her life she maintained a sweet and simple demeanor that won the trust and hearts of many.

Ann enjoyed life and always tried to look for life’s positives. Her positive nature was grounded in her faith in Jesus Christ which she nurtured by being active in multiple Bible studies, the Friendship Sunday school class and The United Methodist Women’s ministries at Trenholm Road UMC.

While she and her family will forever be grateful to the kind and faithful people of Trenholm Road UMC for the nurture and support they continue to offer, as Ann’s health declined she moved in with Becky and Richard and began attending the churches where Becky was the Pastor. As dementia slowly robbed Ann of so many of the things she loved, Becky started a special worship service for persons living with dementia and their caregivers. The service, known as “The WELL”, is held every third Thursday at Washington Street UMC. Ann loved attending these services where she heartily engaged in singing old hymns and joyfully received communion. Her strong will to live, unwavering faith in God, and the love and prayers of family, friends, and many supporters including her caregivers from Heartstrings and the people of Washington Street UMC helped bring her comfort and peace as her health declined.

Her family owes a debt of gratitude to numerous persons including the clergy and congregation of both Trenholm Road UMC and Washington Street UMC and Mr. Greg Dunbar and the staff of Dunbar Funeral home. In lieu of flowers memorials may be given to either Trenholm Road UMC, Washington Street UMC or The Alzheimer’s Association.

Ann was preceded in death by her parents, her siblings, her beloved husband and their firstborn daughter, Debby. She leaves behind her daughters Becky (Richard) Shirley of Columbia, SC and Mary Sue (Charley) Davis of Richmond, KY; two grandchildren, Michelle Graham (Joseph) of Columbia, SC and Christopher Davis of Richmond, KY; one great grandson, Joseph Graham, Jr. of Columbia, SC; and numerous and much-loved nieces and nephews and their families.

A Celebration of her life and faith will be held on Saturday, March 8, 2025 at 11:00 AM at Washington Street UMC in the Sanctuary and the service will be available for viewing on the church’s YouTube channel. (https://m.youtube.com/@WashingtonStreetUMC)

Memories may be shared at www.dunbarfunerals.com.