Earl Woodson Joyner, 91, a loving and faithful son, husband, father and patriarch, died Saturday, November 16, 2024, at his home in Littlestown, Pa. He was the son of the late James W. Joyner and Myrtice R. (Weaver) Joyner.

Born in Ojus, Fla., on January 21, 1933, he was a veteran of the U.S. Navy. He joined the service in 1951 and served aboard the USS Sierra, largely calling Norfolk and Hampton Roads, Va., ports in support of Atlantic destroyers.

It was during his Navy service that he met and befriended the cousin of his future bride, Patricia Ann (Elliott) Joyner, of Washington, D.C.

Earl and Patricia fell in love and were married in 1954. Together they raised five children in Lanham, Md. Earl was a dutiful father, participating in support of his children in Scouting, youth sports, recitals and other endeavors, many connected to St. Matthias Catholic Church, where the family worshipped and where the children attended school. He took the family on memorable camping experiences across the Mid-Atlantic and seaside vacations in Rehoboth Beach, Del.

Earl and Patricia retired to Littlestown and enjoyed many years in the community until her death in 2011.

Earl later met Carolyn Tarantino and the two married in 2013. They enjoyed happy years together, sharing their love across their expanded families until her death in 2021.

Professionally, Earl developed talent as a draftsman in the Navy and utilized the G.I. Bill to pursue it as a career. He took classes at the Catholic University of Washington, and his skill and dedication saw him advance quickly, rising to vice president of the Maurice P. Foley Co., a Maryland-based contractor working on massive projects in Maryland, Northern Virgina and Washington, D.C. He held master plumber and master electrician certifications, and in his later career he enjoyed working with his son-in-law, Jon Perdew, at Jon’s company, Scenic Irrigation.

In retirement he made many friends working part-time at Wogan’s Hardware and at the Adams County Gold, Silver and Coin Exchange, both in Littlestown.

In recent years he embraced his role as the family patriarch, opening his home for gatherings whenever members of his extended family visited. A skilled and self-taught painter, he blessed family and friends with portraits, landscape and still art works. “Pop-Pops” was cherished as mentor and generous advisor and the solid foundation of the family’s legacy – past, present and future. He was a faithful member of St. Aloysius Catholic Church in Littlestown and a charter member and trustee in its Knights of Columbus Council 17784. He enjoyed shooting pool with family and friends, as well as fishing and coin collecting.

He is survived by three daughters, Bonnie L. Richter and husband Bob of Davidsonville, Md., Deborah A. Perdew and husband Jon, of Coleman Falls, Va., and Wendy L. Mitchell and her husband William, of Madison Heights, Va.; and two sons, James E. Joyner and wife Lynn of Manchester, Md., and Daniel E. Joyner of New York.

He also is survived by 22 grandchildren: Samuel, Omar, Ananda, Rocco, Shaman, Ruchi Singh, Pranam Bai Rose, Jamie, Nathan, Luke, Jacob, Mark, Eli, Abby, Caleb, Christine, Heather, Gregory, Ashley, Patti Lynn, Grant and Jamison; and 30 great-grandchildren. In addition to his parents, Earl was preceded in death by a brother, James, and a sister, Janet.

He was grateful for the kindness shown by members of his second wife’s family, including sons Dwight Amoss and his wife Tessa, Randy Amoss and his wife Kathy, John Amoss and his late wife Kathy, Dwayne Amoss and his wife Maria, and Scott Amoss.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be 10 a.m. Monday, November 25, 2024, at St. Aloysius Catholic Church, Littlestown, with The Rev. C. Anthony Miller Celebrant. Viewing will be 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday, November 24, at Little's Funeral Home, 34 Maple Ave., Littlestown. Interment will be Tuesday, November 26, in Fort Lincoln Cemetery, Brentwood, Md.

Contributions in Earl’s name may be sent to St. Aloysius Catholic Church at 29 S. Queen St., Littlestown, PA 17340.

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