CHESAPEAKE - In her 90th year, Catherine Lee Joyner peacefully left this life July 23, 2011. Born in Portsmouth, she was a lifetime resident of Portsmouth and Chesapeake before moving to Poquoson to be closer to her family. She was the daughter of the late Lucy Burkett and John Williams of Portsmouth. Catherine was predeceased by her husband of 61 years, Charles R. Joyner. She was also predeceased by sisters, Margaret, Mary Alice, Virginia, Frances and a brother, Jimmy. Catherine is survived by a daughter, Catherine Marie Scoggins (John) of Charlotte, N.C., and a son, Charles T. Joyner (Peggy) of Poquoson. Other survivors include grandchildren, Charmaine Johnson, Christopher and Charles Scoggins; and great-grandson, Corbin (Sunshine) Johnson. Catherine is also blessed with many surviving and loving nieces and nephews; and a special lifetime friend, Geneva Grimes Dorman. Catherine was a World War II veteran and member of the Women's Auxiliary Army Corps (WAAC). She was a loving wife, mother, homemaker and friend to many. She dearly cherished the members of her family and her home was often the center of family gatherings. Catherine willingly helped family members during their difficult times with shelter, support and always a loving smile. She will also be fondly remembered for her tender care of animals. Long before it was a fashionable term, she "rescued" many cats and dogs and provided them comfort, food and shelter. Her nicknames "Kitty" and "Kakie" were partially based on her special affection for cats. Whether fancy or of the alley variety, she loved all things feline. The family wishes to acknowledge and thank Dr. Provenzano and the staff of Golden Living/Bayside Convalescent Center of Poquoson for their kind attention and loving care of Catherine during her sunset years. In addition to traditional expressions of sympathy, friends and family might consider a donation to their local SPCA or animal rescue shelter in Catherine's memory.
A funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, July 26, at Baker-Foster Funeral Home, Bennett's Creek Chapel, 5685 Lee Farm Lane, Suffolk, VA 23435, lead by Pastor Timothy Utton of Redeemer Lutheran Church, Portsmouth. Interment will follow in Meadowbrook Memorial Gardens, Shoulders Hill Road, Suffolk. Family and friends are invited to a viewing starting at 10 a.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.

Published in The Virginian Pilot on July 24, 2011