Lisa, 56, of Baltimore, MD. passed away on 12/27/25, after waging a courageous battle against Multiple Myeloma. Lisa was born to the union of the late William and Ada Joyner in her beloved city of Baltimore. She was one of six children: Darlene, Patricia, Ruth, Timothy and Shalom. Lisa possessed an insatiable curiosity and a passion for knowledge until the very end. Her zeal for learning took her to Wilberforce, Ohio where she received a bachelor's degree in Political Science with a concentration in history from Central State University. She is the first of her siblings to graduate from a university. This was no small feat as the first generation out of the civil rights movement.
An avid reader and writer, it made sense that she become just that in her career. What started as a simple help desk job with IBM in Atlanta in 1994 became a foundation for her to build a career in information technology as a senior technical writer supporting the department of defense and the department of homeland security, as a contractor for many years. She ended her career at KoolSpan, Inc. a small software company in Bethesda, Md.
She is published in Growing Up Girl; An anthology of Voices from Marginalized Spaces and the New York Times Opinion Article (2022).
A lover of life and new experiences, Lisa took free swimming lessons in her 30s while living in DC. She repeated the classes until she passed. Too many trips to the islands and always wanting to be near water made it clear she had to learn.
Her parents taught her to travel toward her interests and that she did.
She lived for the beach and spent many weeks along the water each year. Even during her illness her travels did not stop- a solo cruise around South America (Argentina, Montevideo, Ila Grand and Rio de Janeiro) prior to start her first round of chemotherapy; a cruise to Cuba for a photo education tour just before stem cell transplant; the Outer Banks, Martha's Vineyard; Rehoboth Beach and Ocean City. She even took a two week European vacation Amsterdam, Paris, Champagne, and Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat) with Koree in 2019 after stem cell transplant.
Throughout her life she combined her love of music, travel and the arts. She took part in many events: Reggae Sunsplash and Sinbad Soul Festival. She also traveled for concerts to Chicago, New Jersey, Montreal, Philly, Las Vegas and Toronto.
The spoiling of her dogs was an understatement. They lived abundant, full lives with her at her side for most of the adventures. Mila remains tethered to earth full of joy to share with every human or dog she encounters and gives circles of love and affection to most. We are most certain Sophie met Lisa at the gates with some heavenly advice.
Lisa embodied the best of qualities; unconditional love, strength of spirit, and an unending generosity that could be seen in her care for Mila (her Havanese), Koree (her lifelong companion), her mother, siblings, nieces and nephews (Shantese, Brendon, Treasure, Jewel, Destiny, Joseph, and Brian), her entire family and countless friends.
Even at the end, Lisa found a way to laugh through the pain and always genuinely asked the person she interacted with, "How are you doing?" or "What's going on with you?" Lisa will be remembered for her big laugh, quick wit, her vast knowledge of social and shopping information, a great host to amazing events, a philanthropist of her time and energy to women and LGBTQ events, information in the DMV, and her fervor for life and all its opportunities.
We love you Lisa!
An avid reader and writer, it made sense that she become just that in her career. What started as a simple help desk job with IBM in Atlanta in 1994 became a foundation for her to build a career in information technology as a senior technical writer supporting the department of defense and the department of homeland security, as a contractor for many years. She ended her career at KoolSpan, Inc. a small software company in Bethesda, Md.
She is published in Growing Up Girl; An anthology of Voices from Marginalized Spaces and the New York Times Opinion Article (2022).
A lover of life and new experiences, Lisa took free swimming lessons in her 30s while living in DC. She repeated the classes until she passed. Too many trips to the islands and always wanting to be near water made it clear she had to learn.
Her parents taught her to travel toward her interests and that she did.
She lived for the beach and spent many weeks along the water each year. Even during her illness her travels did not stop- a solo cruise around South America (Argentina, Montevideo, Ila Grand and Rio de Janeiro) prior to start her first round of chemotherapy; a cruise to Cuba for a photo education tour just before stem cell transplant; the Outer Banks, Martha's Vineyard; Rehoboth Beach and Ocean City. She even took a two week European vacation Amsterdam, Paris, Champagne, and Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat) with Koree in 2019 after stem cell transplant.
Throughout her life she combined her love of music, travel and the arts. She took part in many events: Reggae Sunsplash and Sinbad Soul Festival. She also traveled for concerts to Chicago, New Jersey, Montreal, Philly, Las Vegas and Toronto.
The spoiling of her dogs was an understatement. They lived abundant, full lives with her at her side for most of the adventures. Mila remains tethered to earth full of joy to share with every human or dog she encounters and gives circles of love and affection to most. We are most certain Sophie met Lisa at the gates with some heavenly advice.
Lisa embodied the best of qualities; unconditional love, strength of spirit, and an unending generosity that could be seen in her care for Mila (her Havanese), Koree (her lifelong companion), her mother, siblings, nieces and nephews (Shantese, Brendon, Treasure, Jewel, Destiny, Joseph, and Brian), her entire family and countless friends.
Even at the end, Lisa found a way to laugh through the pain and always genuinely asked the person she interacted with, "How are you doing?" or "What's going on with you?" Lisa will be remembered for her big laugh, quick wit, her vast knowledge of social and shopping information, a great host to amazing events, a philanthropist of her time and energy to women and LGBTQ events, information in the DMV, and her fervor for life and all its opportunities.
We love you Lisa!
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