Obituary of Vernestene Joyner

I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.

John 14:3

God called Vernestene Joyner to her heavenly home on Friday, August 5, 2011 at Chestnut Hill Hospital, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Vernestene began her earthly journey of life on August 8, 1930 in the Camptown area of Franklin, Virginia. She was the second of five children born to the late Lee and Allie Mae Mitchell Joyner. She was preceded in death by her parents, her son Duane Motley, her stepfather Benjamin Gardner and her brothers Herbert and Earl Joyner.

To her family, Vernestene was referred to as Tennie and to her friends, she was Vern .

Vernestene was a 1948 graduate of Hayden High School, Franklin, Virginia. She continued her education at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical College, Greensboro, North Carolina and received a bachelor of science degree in 1952 in Home Economics. While there, Vernestene became a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

Vernestene entered the United States Army after graduating from A & T College and in the summer of 1953 she received a commission as a second lieutenant in the Women s Medical Specialist Corps (WMSC). On September 27, 1953, she entered the 18-month Occupational Therapy Training Program of the Army Medical Service. Vernestene attended the Medical Field Service School, Brooke Army Medical Center, San Antonio, Texas for the first half of her training and in July went to Lettermore Army Hospital, San Francisco for the practical experience that completed the course. She received her certificate as a qualified occupational therapist on April 1, 1954. Vernestene was later promoted to first lieutenant in Denver Colorado.

Vernestene retired from the Philadelphia Public School system as a Home Economics teacher at the Germantown High School, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Vernestene was a member of the Zion Baptist Church and the Philadelphia Alumnae Chapter Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. She truly enjoyed attending Delta conventions. She also enjoyed cooking, shopping, traveling, frequenting gourmet restaurants and socializing with her circle of friends.

Precious memories of Vernestene will be cherished by those who remain:

her son Kelvin Joyner of New York; her sister Prestonia J. Purdie of Ivor, Virginia; her brother Edward Gardner of Franklin, Virginia; her niece Valerie P. Ricks (James) of Zuni, Virginia; her great-niece Danika Briggs (Sherrell) of Richmond, Virginia; her great-nephew Doran Ricks of Ft. Lee, New Jersey; her great-great nephew Aiden Briggs of Richmond, Virginia; a devoted cousin Betty Brown of Philadelphia and a host of other relatives and friends.