Thomas Desmond Joiner

Thomas Desmond Joiner, 84, died peacefully at Halcyon Hospice on January 28, 2016. The family invites everyone to a visitation and celebration of Tom's life at A.S. Turner & Sons, 2773 North Decatur Rd, Decatur, GA from 4-7pm on Sunday, January 31, 2016. A memorial service will be held at Living Grace Lutheran Church, 1812 Cooledge Rd, Tucker, GA at 11am on Tuesday, February 2, 2016. Tom was born July 14, 1931 to Eugene and Reesa Harp Joiner and raised in the town of Reynolds, GA. He graduated from Reynolds High School where he was a stand-out baseball player and went on to attend the Citadel, Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College, and the University of Georgia. Following college, Tom served in the U. S. Army as a First Lieutenant artillery man and paratrooper, and then he moved to Atlanta where he embarked on a hugely successful thirty year business career as an insurance executive with Sun Life of Canada. With Sun Life, Tom led the development and growth of the Southeast group division including launching thriving offices in Atlanta, New Orleans, and Houston. His career culminated with him leading sales for the Atlanta branch, which was consistently the top performing branch in the company and multiple time recipient of the coveted President's Cup Award. In addition to his professional success, Tom was a devoted family man. He married the love of his life Frieda Bader Joiner on December 5, 1959. The couple settled in the Tucker area to raise three wonderful sons, Desmond, David, and Carlton. Tom was the ultimate coach, mentor, and teacher. Whether it was teaching his sons powerful life lessons, coaching championship youth soccer teams, or mentoring young colleagues at work, he made a profound difference in the lives of those he touched. His other passions included world travel, serving on the church council of Living Grace Lutheran Church, teaching youth Sunday school, gardening, and spending time with his grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife of 53 years, Frieda Bader Joiner. He is survived by his children Desmond and Mimi Joiner of Fairhope, Alabama; David and Aida Joiner of Roswell; and Carlton and Lee Joiner of Smyrna; his grandchildren: Reese, Donovan, and India Joiner of Fairhope, Alabama; Collin and Ryan Joiner of Roswell; and Avery and Taylor Joiner of Smyrna; and his dear friend and companion Norma Goecke. Pall-bearers for the memorial service will be Desmond Joiner, David Joiner, Carlton Joiner, Reese Joiner, Collin Joiner, Ryan Joiner, Eric Joiner, and Barry Deloache. Finally, a special thanks to the residents and staff of Chambrel at Roswell, the senior living community where Tom made his home since 2010 and also to the staff and leadership of Kadan Home Healthcare, who provided exemplary love and care for Tom during the last six months of his life. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Living Grace Lutheran Church. A. S. Turner and Sons Funeral Home and Crematory.

Funeral Home:
A. S. Turner & Sons
2773 North Decatur Road
Decatur, GA
30033