Eric Lee Joynes was born to the late Abrom Bernard, Sr. and Augustine Jenkins Joynes on April 23, 1957 in Norfolk, Virginia. He was the youngest of five children and spent many spring and summer nights in the emergency room getting treatments for wheezing. He would always return home breathing normally and everyone was so happy for that. To stay healthy and avoid another asthmas episode, he had to avoid all yard work, most house chores and hence, “the spoiled one”.
Eric grew up and was educated in Norfolk Public Schools. After graduating from Norview High School, he earned a bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts from Norfolk State University. After several jobs, Eric was hired by Raytheon where he worked in the shipping department for more than twenty-eight years. Eric loved his job and was sadden by the company’s decision in 2016 to relocate out of the state of Virginia. It was at Raytheon where he established many lasting relationships with some wonderful people. He would often share heartwarming stories of his coworkers with his family. Eric loved being around people and he enjoyed making others laugh. That was his gift. At every family gathering Eric was the cousin or the uncle that everyone looked forward to seeing because they knew that he would make them laugh.
Eric was always an artist; he impressed everyone with his gift to draw life like sketches and his ability to create beautiful artwork out of anything. In 1993, he was featured in a local news article that described his part-time business, “Mutz Foam Rubber Sculptures”. For several years he displayed his foam rubber animal creations at various art exhibits and at a local crafter’s mall.
He was a natural born caregiver. When he was a child, he wanted to take care of any kind of animal that he thought needed his care. He talked his parents into adopting a variety of pets – a turtle, rabbits, ducks, guinea pigs, hamsters, a ferret, many dogs, and birds. More importantly, Eric knew how to care for people. In their later years, both parents needed a caregiver and Eric became the loving caregiver for his father and his mother.
Eric loved the Lord. He accepted Christ and joined Holy Temple Church when he was a child. He attended regularly until his caregiving responsibilities prevented regular attendance. In recent years, his love for God was expressed in his tender way of caring for other people, especially those who were facing difficult times. He loved to call someone to let them know that he was there for them and he would always remind them that God loved them and all they had to do was to “trust God”.
Eric was preceded in death by his parents, Abrom Bernard, Sr. and Augustine J. Joynes and sister, Brenda Gaines. He leaves to cherish his memory, one sister, Wanda Martin (Beaverdam, VA) two brothers, Abrom B. Joynes, Jr. (Richmond, VA) and Joseph Garnes (Atlantic City, N.J.); one Aunt, Sylvia Lawton (Norfolk, VA) two nephews, Howard & Trevor Martin; two nieces, Angela & Stephanie Gaines (Wilmington, NC) he also leaves many devoted cousins and a host of devoted friends.
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Mamie Joynes and Anthony McDuffie says
June 26, 2020 at 3:07 pmMy condolences to the family.
Carmela and Ernie Hankins says
June 26, 2020 at 3:27 pmThe talks Eric and I had being caregivers were full of laughter and tears. He will be missed. My condolences to friends and family.
Sandra Braxton says
June 29, 2020 at 5:50 pmI am so sorry for your loss. You have my deepest sympathy. Praying God will strengthen you all doing your hour of bereavement..
Sandra Jones says
June 26, 2020 at 3:30 pmI am so sorry for you loss. He was an awesome man.
Scott, Stephanie, Skye and Soleil Kalis says
June 26, 2020 at 9:17 pmEric was a bright lite and a great man. He always had a smile and was well loved by those who knew him. My family and I will miss him dearly…
Gail E Santiago says
June 26, 2020 at 3:45 pmEric was a good friend and will truly be missed, and I will never forget his kindness to me and my kids in our time of need God be with you all, I am so very sorry for your loss, and for all of his friends who will miss him greatly.
Sylvia Dorsey-Robinson says
June 26, 2020 at 4:10 pmUncle Abrom’s red pick-up truck, cousins -together in the back and Eric’s endless wit and beautiful smile. We will miss you.
Janice Spruell says
June 26, 2020 at 6:37 pmEric was such a good guy and great talent. His dedication to his work, art & crafts, musical skill and friends will always be remembered. My heart is saddened that this world will no longer have him to help make it better. May God grant his family peace, grace and mercy in knowing he is basking in the Father’s light and once again with his parents to whom he was so dedicated.
David Romelle Anderson says
June 26, 2020 at 10:48 pmRest in peace my brother … much love to you and the rest of your family.
Whose taking care of Sam and Digit?
Esther Gail Henry Scott says
June 26, 2020 at 11:17 pmRemembering Eric and the time he spent in Lynchburg, Va.
Love and prayers to Wanda, Abrom and his family!
Elizabeth Fairbanks says
June 27, 2020 at 6:17 amEric was a very funny and kind person. He and I had many conversations about art and he actually helped me with some of my own art pieces when I was in college. We both had a love of birds and would talk about our birds with each other, sharing silly stories. When we’d see each other at work, we would always chat for a little while and catch up on the birds, my children, his latest art show, anything really. My condolences to his family and friends. He will be truly missed.
Susan Dougherty says
June 27, 2020 at 6:22 amI’ve known Eric for many years at Raytheon. He was a good friend and we used to have long talks about so many different things. I’ve missed not being able to see and talk to him every day at work. He was a kind and generous person. I will miss him.
I am sorry for your loss.
Zee Robosa-Boyd says
June 27, 2020 at 6:29 amOne of the best, funniest, and good friend (PANA). Erik is very kindhearted and you can always count on him to lift your spirits up when you are feeling low, and he loves the LORD.
My deepest condolences’ to the family. He will surely be missed.
Rest In Peace OHANA until we meet again….
Wakefield and Paula Bradley Travers says
June 27, 2020 at 5:03 pmEric was my childhood friend; he always made my husband feel so welcome. What a wonderful person he was. My deepest condolences to the family. He will truly be missed.
Toni Wilder Pate says
June 27, 2020 at 10:20 pmWanda and Abrom please know that I am praying for you during your time of bereavement. I will forever remember Eric’s artistic gift and jovial manner. Sending much love to you and all those connected to Eric.
Janice Fiscus says
June 28, 2020 at 7:52 amWhat a kindhearted, funny, talented, caring man!! He was sunshine on a cloudy day, always smiling and on a bad day, got me to smile too. He was a talented artist and musician. But what I have missed most is the way he could make me laugh, he always had something funny to say, he should have been a comedian too! My thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends.
Ted Antzoulis says
June 28, 2020 at 1:21 pmEric was a great human being, a kind and caring person. He had the gift of making everyone laugh, no matter what the circumstances were. If I needed a laugh to breakup the monotony of the day, Eric was the person I would sought out. He was also serious and thoughtful when he needed to be. He was a dear friend and will be greatly missed. May he Rest In Peace.
Roger Wilson says
June 28, 2020 at 1:31 pmI love this person, he was kind, funny, and very private Person. He took care of his father and mother before they passed. He could mimicked anyone including me. No doubt in my mind his parents was waiting on him a he passed and they all having a good time
Lesa Seielstad says
June 28, 2020 at 5:39 pmEric was a wonderful person and liked by all. He was a ray of sunshine on a cloudy day. He was a talented artist and musician.
If you were feeling down he always found away to get your spirits up.
As my son Alex always use to say he is my brother from another mother. Eric you will be truly missed and will always have a place in our hearts. Rest in peace my friend!
God Bless your family and friends.
Vernell Gray says
June 28, 2020 at 6:27 pmTo The Family of Eric Joynes
You have our deepest sympathy. May the peace of God be with your. Another mighty pilot (Norview) has taken flight to be with the Angel’s. God’s blessing from Sisters Vernell M. & Esther M. Gray of MGMBChurch.
Doug Wiltshire says
June 28, 2020 at 9:59 pmI worked with Eric all of his years at Raytheon. He was a wonderful person to be around, caring and kind, funny and smart. I loved his art work and we still have one of his foam fish sculptures somewhere that he made when one of our kids we little. I will lift him and his family up in my thoughts and heart.
Joe Hodgen says
June 28, 2020 at 10:09 pmEric, kind and gentle, with a heart as big as he himself was. Gone too soon.
Rest in peace my Friend…
Lorri A. Ross says
June 29, 2020 at 12:20 amCousin, I will be there tomorrow saying my goodbyes and it hurts so much right now to know that I will not see your face on this side again. Please know that I loved you with all my heart. I will never forget the laughs, the family reunions and just being us. We could find laughter in any and everything. I know that I will see you again on the other side. Right now, Jesus needs you more than me!!! If tears could keep you here, you would live forever.
James & Denise Mason says
June 29, 2020 at 10:00 amThe world will not be as bright without Eric in it. He was so kind, thoughtful and funny. R.I.P. Eric. You are already sorely missed.
Marty Hering says
June 29, 2020 at 10:28 amEric is Fantastic, a truly Wonderful person. I’m very saddened. Condolences to loved ones. Miss ya, Brother.
Teresa Jenkins says
June 29, 2020 at 4:57 pmEric always brightened my day and made me laugh. The news of his death saddened me greatly. My prayers are with all the family, friends, and loved ones. He will be greatly missed!!!
Mary Harrison-Hale says
July 1, 2020 at 11:09 amIt saddens me whenever I hear a classmate has passed. I haven’t seen Eric in many years since we graduated from Norview in 1975 but I remember him as a kind and gentle young man. Peace and condolences to his family and friends. Eric is already missed.
Norview Class of 1975 says
July 1, 2020 at 11:16 amThe Norview Class of 1975 is sad to hear of the passing of our beloved classmate Eric. We feel the loss of our friend. May the family find peace and uplifted knowing he was well loved by all.
Pamala James-Arenas says
October 8, 2020 at 9:42 pmSorry to hear! He was a kind and wonderful person. Hope the family is healing. With all my blessings.
Class 1977
Pamala James-Arenas Phd.
Jasmin Bradley says
July 3, 2020 at 3:41 pmWanda, Abrom and family,
I am sorry for your loss.
Eric was funny, and a truly kind person. He was very artistic. I have fond memories of us growing up together at Holy Temple. I always enjoyed seeing and talking with him upon visiting. My prayers are with all of you.
Jasmin Bradley
Norman Beals says
July 26, 2020 at 6:18 pmThe Beals family, Norman, Crystal , Travis and Nia are deeply sorry for your loss, Eric was a good friend of ours. We met him while he was here in NC and he has been a friend ever since, he was always willing to talk and give advice on just about anything, we will truly miss him.
Kevin Coles says
October 7, 2020 at 8:15 pmI am at a lost for words right now. I will miss our many conversations. RIP my friend you will me missed!
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