757.628.1000

Eric L. Joynes


Sunrise: April 23, 1957

Sunset: June 24, 2020

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.

Viewing Sunday, June 28, 2020 12:00pm - 5:00pm Metropolitan Funeral Service 7246 Granby Street Norfolk, VA 23505 Graveside Service Monday, June 29, 2020 11:00am Forest Lawn Cemetery 8100 Granby Street Norfolk, VA 23505 Interment Forest Lawn Cemetery 8100 Granby Street Norfolk, VA 23505 The family is following the CDC and State of Virginia guidelines for funeral attendance

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Condolences(32)

  1. reply
    Mamie Joynes and Anthony McDuffie says

    My condolences to the family.

    • reply
      Carmela and Ernie Hankins says

      The talks Eric and I had being caregivers were full of laughter and tears. He will be missed. My condolences to friends and family.

      • reply
        Sandra Braxton says

        I am so sorry for your loss. You have my deepest sympathy. Praying God will strengthen you all doing your hour of bereavement..

  2. reply
    Sandra Jones says

    I am so sorry for you loss. He was an awesome man.

    • reply
      Scott, Stephanie, Skye and Soleil Kalis says

      Eric 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…

  3. reply
    Gail E Santiago says

    Eric 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.

  4. reply
    Sylvia Dorsey-Robinson says

    Uncle Abrom’s red pick-up truck, cousins -together in the back and Eric’s endless wit and beautiful smile. We will miss you.

  5. reply
    Janice Spruell says

    Eric 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.

  6. reply
    David Romelle Anderson says

    Rest in peace my brother … much love to you and the rest of your family.

    Whose taking care of Sam and Digit?

  7. reply
    Esther Gail Henry Scott says

    Remembering Eric and the time he spent in Lynchburg, Va.
    Love and prayers to Wanda, Abrom and his family!

  8. reply
    Elizabeth Fairbanks says

    Eric 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.

  9. reply
    Susan Dougherty says

    I’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.

  10. reply
    Zee Robosa-Boyd says

    One 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….

  11. reply
    Wakefield and Paula Bradley Travers says

    Eric 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.

  12. reply
    Toni Wilder Pate says

    Wanda 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.

  13. reply
    Janice Fiscus says

    What 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.

  14. reply
    Ted Antzoulis says

    Eric 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.

  15. reply
    Roger Wilson says

    I 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

  16. reply
    Lesa Seielstad says

    Eric 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.

  17. reply
    Vernell Gray says

    To 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.

  18. reply
    Doug Wiltshire says

    I 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.

  19. reply
    Joe Hodgen says

    Eric, kind and gentle, with a heart as big as he himself was. Gone too soon.
    Rest in peace my Friend…

  20. reply
    Lorri A. Ross says

    Cousin, 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.

  21. reply
    James & Denise Mason says

    The 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.

  22. reply
    Marty Hering says

    Eric is Fantastic, a truly Wonderful person. I’m very saddened. Condolences to loved ones. Miss ya, Brother.

  23. reply
    Teresa Jenkins says

    Eric 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!!!

  24. reply
    Mary Harrison-Hale says

    It 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.

  25. reply
    Norview Class of 1975 says

    The 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.

    • reply
      Pamala James-Arenas says

      Sorry to hear! He was a kind and wonderful person. Hope the family is healing. With all my blessings.
      Class 1977
      Pamala James-Arenas Phd.

  26. reply
    Jasmin Bradley says

    Wanda, 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

  27. reply
    Norman Beals says

    The 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.

  28. reply
    Kevin Coles says

    I 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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