RICKIE L. JOYNER

Rickie L. Joyner, 53, of Steele passed away Saturday, June 10, 2017, in Steele. He was born Oct. 26, 1963, in Hayti, Mo., to Gertrude Brown and Eddie B. (Jake) Joyner Jr. He was the third of nine children. There were five girls and four boys: Freddie E. Joyner, Kelly Brown (Amanda), all of Hayti, Bobby Joyner (Latrisha) of St. Charles, Mo., Andrew Joyner (Catheline) of Lebanon, Ill., Sussie Hall (Tommie), Betty Fonda (Elbie), Dorothy Wilbourn (Percy), all of Steele, Betty Wilson (Willie) and Dianne Lee (Jimmie), all of Hayti. Sept. 16, 1989, he married Elnora Knox, and to this union, three sons were born, Rickie A. Joyner, Christopher L. Joyner and Johnathan M. Joyner, all of Steele. His eldest son made him a grandfather to five granddaughters, all of whom he loved very much. On Oct. 1, 2014, he married Francis Houston. He was called into the ministry in his early 30s, where he served for five years under the leadership of Ray Spann.

Mr. Joyner was preceded in death by his mother, Gertrude Brown; father, Eddie B. (Jake) Joyner Jr., and four sisters.

Survivors of Mr. Joyner include his wife, Francis Joyner of Kennett, Mo., the mother of his children, Elnora Knox; three sons, Rickie A. Joyner, Christopher L. Joyner and Johnathan M. Joyner; five granddaughters and a host of nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.

Funeral services for Mr. Joyner were held at 2 p.m. Saturday, June 17 at North Sixth Street Church of God in Christ with Bishop Nathaniel Ellis officiating. Visitation was held from 11 a.m. until the time of the service. Pallbearers were Andrew Joyner, Chris Jones, Jimmie Lee, Kelly Brown and Elbie Fonda. Honorary pallbearers were Jackie Payne, Fredrick E. Payne, Rickie Joyner, Timmy Jones and Mark Jones.

Powell Funeral Home of Steele was in charge of arrangements.