Esther Briner

Esther Louise Joyner Briner, 87, of Virginia Beach died February 10, 2026. Former school teacher, loved by all her pupils, loving wife, mother and grandmother. Born in Hobgood, NC, April 1, 1938, daughter of Bernard and Louise Joyner.

She was high school homecoming queen and active in the high school and college choirs that sang all over eastern North Carolina. She attended Campbell Junior College and East Carolina University, graduating in 1960. She taught at John Tyler Elementary School in Portsmouth until meeting her husband, Bob, a lieutenant aboard the destroyer Blandy, They were married 10 Weeks later on November 12,196l! The Navy took her to Newport, Rhode Island, Buenos Aires, Argentina, Norfolk, Virginia, Mayport, Florida and Fairfax, Virginia. They moved to Virginia Beach in 1979 where her husband retired from the Navy and entered real estate.

She was a member of Baylake United Methodist Church, where she taught at Strafford preschool for eight years. She is survived by her husband of 64 years, Bob Briner, two daughters Denise Long and Elizabeth Rodgers and four grandchildren Madeline Louise Long, Waverly Anne Long, Chloe Elizabeth Long and Julia Lee Long, sons-in-law Mike Long and Jim Rodgers. She was predeceased by her son James Robert, a sister Marilyn Andrews and brother John Joyner. Her husband, children and grandchildren thought she 'hung the moon'.

A memorial service will be held Monday, February 16, at 11:00 at Baylake United Methodist Church.

Donations may be made to the Memorial Fund of Baylake United Methodist Church, 4300 Shore Drive, Virginia Beach, VA 23455.