Charles "Chuck" Marion Joiner

Charles Marion Joiner was born December 30, 1942 in Poplar Bluff, Missouri to Roy Calvin Joiner and Charlene Rains Joiner.  He moved with his family to Patton, Missouri in 1957 and considered it his home town.  Charles graduated from Patton High School.  He attended Freed Hardeman College and graduated from Harding University. Charles received a Master of Social Work from the University of Tennessee and a Ph.D. in Social Welfare from Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri.

Charles spent his career in Social Work dedicated to helping those who needed his compassionate care and teaching students to do the same.  As Director of Christian Family Services in St. Louis and other agencies he facilitated over 200 adoptions.  Of all accomplishments he found his work with children and families most meaningful.

Chuck began his teaching career at his Alma mater, Harding University where he remained for five years. In 1987 Charles moved to Jonesboro, Arkansas to teach Social Work at Arkansas State University.  He remained on the faculty for eighteen years, retiring in 2006.  During his time at ASU he became founding Chair of the Department of Social Work and developed and initiated the Master of Social Work graduate program.  He was honored in 2016 as one of ASU’s Top 100 Professors.

Charles Joiner was preceded in death by his parents and three brothers, Roy Calvin Joiner, Jr., Terry B. Davis and Richard J. Davis.  He is survived by his wife, Patricia Teddlie-Joiner, of the home, two sons, Dr. Michael B. Joiner of Swarthmore, PA and Timothy L. Joiner of Wilmington, DE, daughter Rachel M. Joiner and granddaughter Anais Lazardeux of Rochester, NY.

He is survived by eight siblings all in Missouri:  Ronald L. Davis (Nancy), John R. Davis (Sandra), June Romine (Leroy), Brenda Russell (Charlie), Sheila Cates (Phillip), Danetta Howard, Tammy Davis, and Danetta Cates.

He is beloved step-father and grandfather to four step-sons: Thomas (Susan), Robert (Barbara), Donald (Sherrie) and David Freudiger, step-granddaughter and caregiver with husband Kelly, Ann Baker of Rector, AR, and nine other step-grandchildren and seventeen great-grandchildren.

Chuck’s life was fully lived.  His many hobbies included building antique muzzle loading rifles, restoring and driving MG cars, riding his Goldwing motorcycle cross country and in the words of one of his grandsons, “he was one great guitar player”.

Chuck was a practicing Christian and a member of the Church of Christ.

A Memorial Service will be held on Friday, September 13 at Emerson Funeral Home in Jonesboro, AR.  Visitation will be from 2-3 pm and service 3-4 pm.  A Celebration of Life Service will be held at Ford-Liley Funeral Home in Patton, MO on Saturday, September 14.  Visitation will be 11-1 and service at 1 pm.

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to St. Bernard’s Hospice, 1726 Marie Circle, Jonesboro, AR, 72401 or Children’s Homes, Inc. 5516 Walcott Rd., Paragould, AR, 72450.

Please visit the following link to read an article published by Arkansas State University regarding Chuck's passing: Arkansas State University Condolences