Edith Heins Joyner of Watkinsville, GA, age 98, passed away peacefully in her sleep on Sunday, March 26.

She was born on July 20, 1924 in Blythewood, SC to the late James B. and Elise (McIntyre) Heins.

Edith graduated from Lander College and began her career as an elementary school teacher. One of her first teaching positions was at Johnston Elementary in Johnston, SC. It was here that she was introduced to the love of her life, Raymond S. Joyner, by his sister Joyce (Joyner) Coleman. She married Raymond in December of 1947 and spent the next 41 years until his passing in 1988.

Edith and Raymond moved many times in the early years of their marriage, which included such places as Clemson, SC, Saluda, SC, Pocomoke City, MD, Auburn, NY, Asheboro, NC, Gainesville, GA, Monroe, NC, and Ft. Wayne, IN. They finally settled in the Kingswood neighborhood in Athens, GA where Edith would live for the next 50+ years. She lived her final years in the loving care of St. Mary's Highland Hills Village in Watkinsville.

Edith was a faithful Christian and was a member of Athens First United Church for many years. She was a devoted mother to her children Jane Argo (Steve) and Raymond Joyner (Kristin) and she was a loving grandmother to her grandchildren Marilynn Joyner, Raymond B. Joyner (Brianna), Cameron Argo (Emma Kate), Chase Argo (Allie) and Collin Argo.

Edith loved to walk in Kingswood, work in her yard, and participate in the Elks Club of Athens and the Kingswood Garden Club. She was an excellent bowler in her early years, had a great throwing arm (which Ray and Cameron can confirm), loved to cook, enjoyed attending The Sawnee Ballet Theater (Cumming, GA) Nutcracker (Marilynn), attending youth baseball games (Ray and Cameron), and really enjoyed spending time with all of her family.

Edith was preceded in death by her husband, Raymond S. Joyner; her brothers James B. Heins, Jr. and Robert Heins; her sisters Sarah Heins, Elizabeth H. Kay and Frances Jones.

The family will receive friends from 5:00-7:00 PM on Tuesday, March 28, at Bernstein Funeral Home, 3195 Atlanta Highway, in Athens, GA.

A graveside service will be held at 11:00 AM, on Saturday, April 1, in Mount of Olives Cemetery, 712 Mims Avenue, in Johnston, SC.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Athens First United Methodist Church, 327 N. Lumpkin St., Athens, GA 30601.

Bernstein Funeral Home, Athens, GA, and Mercantile Funeral Home Johnston Chapel, Johnston, SC, are in charge of arrangements.