Mr. Donald "Doc" Paul Joyner

Donald “Doc” Paul Joyner, 63, of Springfield, Ga., passed away peacefully on Friday, January 20, 2012, at Hospice Savannah with his family at his side. He was preceded in death by his parents, Tillman W. and Elizabeth M. Elmgren Joyner, son, Scott Joyner, and brother, George Joyner. Donald was born and raised in Savannah and was a 1967 graduate of Herschel V. Jenkins High School. He was an industrial electrician and was the previous founder and owner of DP Joyner Electric and later the owner of The Maintenance Company. He was an active member of the Bible Lutheran Church. Donald is survived by his loving wife of 16 years, Deborah Mock Joyner of Springfield, Ga.; three daughters, Dana Matthews (David) of Covington, Ga., Stacey Johnson (Jacob) of Columbus, Ga., and Stephanie Thompson (David) of Covington, Ga.; a step-son, Adam Welch of Reidsville, Ga.; a brother, Frank Joyner (Charlotte), of Midway, Ga.; 10 grandchildren; 2 great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. Growing up, Donald was known as the loving Gentle Giant in his neighborhood. He was an Olympic weightlifter champion and was proudly the strongest man in the United States at age 46. He never met a stranger and was always a hard worker. Donald was an amazing father and loved working with The Special Olympics. He loved his church. Visitation: 4-6 p.m. Sunday, January 22, 2012, at Fairhaven Funeral Home, Hubert C. Baker Chapel. Funeral Service: 1 p.m. Monday, January 23, 2012, in the Funeral Home chapel with Pastor Andrew E. V. Krey and Rev. Michael Carden officiating. Burial will take place in the Jerusalem Lutheran Church Cemetery in New Ebenezer. Active Pallbearers will be Alan Zipperer, Jonathan Matthews, Steve Campbell, Sr., Calvin Seckinger, Gary Hodges, and Melvin Joyner. Honorary Pallbearers will be Ann Brady, Lois Shinall, and Fred Elmgren. Memorial Contributions may be made to Bible Lutheran Church P.O. Box 883 Rincon, Ga. 31326 Fairhaven Funeral Home 7415 Hodgson Memorial Dr. Savannah, Ga. 31406 912-927-1999 www.fairhavenfuneralhome.net