Robert Rhea "Bob" Joyner

Robert “Bob” Joyner, 77, of Savannah, Georgia, made his peaceful departure to Heaven on
Tuesday, August 6, 2024. Born on April 12, 1947 at Walter Reed Hospital, in Washington
D.C., he is the son of the late Joseph Joyner and Rebecca McCleskey Joyner.
He graduated from Saint Andrew’s-Sewannee School, in Sewannee, Tennessee, and studied
Business in college. He served in the Air Force and later found his true ambitions in farming,
landscaping and gardening. He once was a chicken farmer, raising thousands of chickens
along with beefalo.
He is survived by his wife Joy Forkner Joyner of Savannah, Georgia, son Sean Joyner of
McDonough, Georgia, daughter Jolene (Craig) Hensley of Griffin, Georgia and five
grandchildren. He was a member of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Savannah.
Thirty-five years ago, he married his wife Joy on April Fool’s Day, because they were a couple
of fools in love. He, however, wanted to get married on February 29, but Joy would not fall for
that trick.
Known as Papa Bear to his wife, she was his Baby Bear. Whenever one of them said “I love
you,” the response was almost always, “I love you more.” When his wife was recovering from
foot surgery, he told his friends that he never imagined what all she did around the house day
after day.
He became a Lifetime Georgia Master Gardener, and was an avid gardener. He loved
growing fruits, vegetables and a large array of flowers. When he and his wife were house
shopping in the Savannah area, they found their dream home which included a vacant side lot
which would soon become their Secret Garden. When they met the seller of the house and
lot, they were told that, unless they bought the side lot also, he would not sell them the house.
They said almost in unison, “If it wasn’t for the side lot, we wouldn’t want the house.” Often
he would walk out to the garden and give his plants a pep talk saying to them, “Gro-o-ow, gro-
o-ow, gro-o-ow!”
He had a funny sense of humor, often putting smiles on peoples’ faces, wore funky socks with
cartoon characters on them, and enjoyed wearing caps and t-shirts with silly phrases such as
Hi, I’m Bob. Sometimes I spell my name backwards.
He had a very soft-giving heart, enjoying helping people anonymously, not wanting to receive
any recognition.
Bob’s Celebration of Life will be held at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church at 3 Westridge Road,
Savannah, GA 31411 on September 21 at 11 AM with a reception to follow. All are welcome.