Robert Earl Joyner

He will be loved and missed by all who knew him.

Robert Earl Joyner, lovingly known as “Earl,” was born to Minnie Joyner on January 13, 1946, in Wilson, North Carolina. Earl was the son of sharecroppers in the South. Earl’s mother wanted a better life for her and her children, so she relocated to Yonkers, New York. Earl and his younger sister Michelle stayed with their grandmother. Sadely, Earl’s sister, died at the age of twelve. Earl reunited with his mother after the 8th grade in Yonkers.

Earl’s New York employment career began in a shopping cart factory. After relocating to New Jersey, he later worked in sanitation for DeMarco and Son, where he developed a passion for operating different heavy machines, which encouraged Earl to earn his CDL license. He stayed with DeMarco until the 1990s, when they shut down. Earl then became a heavy machine operator at Solid Waste Recycling until 2001, when he went to work for Dart Wastewater and Waste Oil Treatment Company. Earl remained employed with Dart as a Bucket Loader Operator until his retirement in 2022 for health reasons.

Earl met the love of his life, Yvonne Jones, in 1998, whom he affectionately called “My Old Lady.” Although Earl had no biological children, he had two babies: his goddaughter Shakira Eley and his black GMC Sierra 5000. Earl would passionately acknowledge and claim Yvonne’s entire family, including three children, their spouses, grandchildren, great-grandchild, and three sisters-in-law as his own.

He was a quiet and modest man who lived life the way he wanted to live it. Earl was a faithful and loyal person. He didn’t have many friends, but the friendships he acquired were lifelong and meaningful.

Earl leaves to cherish his memory a host of family and friends who will never forget him or his wonderful and unique way with words.

A visitation for Robert will be held Saturday, October 7, 2023 from 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM at Krowicki McCracken Funeral Home, 2124 East Saint George Ave, Linden. A prayer service will begin at 3:00 PM. Cremation will be held privately.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.krowickifuneralhome.com for the Joyner family.