Colonel (Ret) Charles A. Joyner, Jr., 77, died unexpectedly November 27, 2022, at a Nashville, TN, hospital, from injuries he received the previous day when he was struck by a motor vehicle in a Nashville crosswalk. He was born October 12, 1945, Tullahoma, TN, the son of Charles A. and Grace (Sumner) Joyner.
Charles received a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Architectural Construction, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, in 1968, and a Master of Engineering degree from Texas A&M University, in 1969. During his tenure at Texas A&M University, Charles served in the Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC). Following graduation, he served in the U.S. Army for 24 years in numerous command and staff positions, including serving two tours in Vietnam, with his last assignment being the Deputy District Commander, Nashville District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Prior to serving as the Deputy District Commander, Charles managed and taught for the Michigan Tech University ROTC Department. He also supervised all eight Michigan ROTC organizations for one year. Prior to his ROTC position, he served as Principal Hospital Engineer, Tripler Army Medical Center, Honolulu, HI.
At the time of his death, he was employed by Parsons Corporation, Huntsville, AL, where he served as System Engineer Lead and Contractor Technical Lead and Parsons Program Manager at Redstone Arsenal. For the past 20 years, Charles, has supported the military construction (MILCON) planning, design and construction of the Ballistic Missile Defense System (BMDS) within the Missile Defense Agency (MDA).
Charles was also a dedicated member of the Society of American Military Engineers, Huntsville Post. For many years Charles was the Scholarship Chairman leading the Huntsville Post in awarding tens of thousands of dollars in scholarships to outstanding high school and college engineering and technical students. This was Charles’ passion in the Post. Charles always marveled at the bright students that applied for the Post’s scholarships. Charles also served as a Director in the Post and was awarded a Fellow in the Society.
Charles very much enjoyed spending time with his family and he enjoyed watching and supporting his Texas A&M Aggies. He was an active supporter of Texas A&M Alumni Association and very proud of his affiliation with the university.
Charles was an active member of the Christ Way Church in Huntsville, AL.
In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by a sister, Mary Margaret, and a brother, James.
Surviving in addition to his wife, Lee (Snyder) Joyner, and his son, Charles A. “Trey” Joyner, III, of Sun City, AZ, and his wife, Tami; daughters, Laura Beth Watts, and her husband, Darren, of Austin, TX; Karla Voorhees, and her husband, Scott, of Davenport, FL; Patricia Leigh Iezzi, and her husband, Angelo, of Nashville, TN; Amy Michelle Elkins, of Palm Harbor, FL; Amber Nicole Joyner, Omaha, NB; eighteen grandchildren, nine great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.
The family will receive family and friends, Friday, December 9, 2022, from 5:00 to 7:00 PM, at the Berryhill Funeral Home, 2305 Memorial Parkway NW, Huntsville, AL. A service of remembrance will be held on Saturday, December 10, 2022, at 11 AM at the Christ Way Church, 1431 Jordan Road, Huntsville, AL. Graveside service will be Sunday, December 11, 2022 at 11:00 AM at Huntsville Memory Gardens.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that those who wish to remember Charles in a special way may make gifts in his memory to the Ovarian Cancer Support Group of Polk County, Florida, 6842 Hartsworth Drive, Lakeland, FL, 33813.
