Gwendolyn Butts Joyner, 80, of Roanoke Rapids, died Saturday, January 8, at Halifax Regional Medical Center.

Mrs. Joyner was a native of Halifax County, the daughter of the late Ernest Floyd Butts and Gertrude Bass Butts. She was retired from J. P. Stevens. Mrs. Joyner loved the Lord and her family. The Lord sent us an angel for a while. For over 80 years, she was a great wife, mother, teacher and friend.

She was preceded in death by one great-grandchild, Allen Merritt, her sister, Faye High, and two brothers, Randolph and Rudolph Butts.

Mrs. Joyner is survived by her husband, Thomas Mason Joyner; two daughters, Gloria Jean Merritt and her husband, David, of Wake Forest, and Wanda J. Moore and her fiancé, Doug Bennett of Roanoke Rapids; her son, Thomas Wayne Joyner, Sr. and his wife, Kay, of Lake Gaston, seven grandchildren, Jeff Merritt and his wife, Tammy, Scott Merritt and his wife, Jill, Aaron Merritt and his wife, Nanette, Ashley Joyner, Kevin Joyner and his wife, Ashley, Tommy W. Joyner, Jr. and his wife, Mary Beth, and Russell Moore, Jr. and his wife, Brandee; and four great-grandchildren.

Askew Funeral & Cremation Services in Roanoke Rapids is handling the arrangements, where the family will receive friends on Wednesday, January 12, from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, January 13, at 2:00 p.m. in the funeral home chapel with Minister Mark Wesner and Minister Bane Angles officiating. Interment will follow at Cedarwood Cemetery in Roanoke Rapids.