Loretta "Rita" Joyner

Loretta Louise Bisbee Joyner, 94, was born in her home West of Little Rock in 1931 to the late Frank and Ada Rials Bisbee. Along with her parents, she is preceded in death by her son, Glenn Joyner and many brothers and sisters.

She was named Loretta after a movie star, Loretta Young. Her middle name, Louise, after a cousin living with them at that time. Her nephew Clifford Holmes referred to her as "Baby Lou" which later was shortened to "Babe." In her early school days, her teacher thought Loretta Louise was too long of a name and suggested she go by Rita. During this time, to have several nicknames was uncommon.

She attended Joe T. Robinson school in Little Rock and graduated high school in May of 1949. She rode the school bus every day. The buses had wood like bench seats and cloth drapes as windows you could tie up or let down. The summer before tenth grade she got her first job at a clothing factory store operating on an electric sewing machine.

In 1951, Rita married Harvey William Joyner Jr. He was drafted in the U.S. Air Force and they lived on base. As a married couple they became best friends with the Carrolls. While husband Harvey and Richard Carroll were gone for trainings, deployments and work Rita was involved in the community. She would carpool with great friend Maxine Carroll to work on the base where she found herself employment. The Joyner's and Carrolls stayed close while starting their own families. In fact, Harvey and Rita named their first son Steven Carroll after them.

Later, Harvey and Rita created and established their lifelong legacy Joyner Brokerage Company. This was not simply a business, this was home. Where friendships became family and learning became experiences. The astonishing company they built from the ground up was a desirable treasure. However, in their eyes the true byproduct was the family they built. Harvey and Rita both could not be more pleased with their sons, daughter in law, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Their legacy lives on through them.

Rita loved life and lived it well. From saving her lunch money to buy a coke to drink to warming up those dominoes to hopefully win in chicken foot. She had many family and friends whom she checked on and cared for as they did the same for her. Most importantly, she loved the lord. Her faith was strong and to be admired.

Left to cherish Rita's memory is her son, Steven (Vicki) Joyner; grandchildren, Tiffani Joyner, Blake (Malynda) Joyner, and Brittani (John) Joyner Sitzmann; great grandchildren, Kashton, Averi, Beckett, Patience, Brayden, Levi, and Rylan; and a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins.

A funeral service will be 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, March 10, 2026 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints 6110 T.P. White Drive Jacksonville. Visitation will be one hour prior, beginning at 9:30 a.m. She will be laid to rest at Rest Hills Memorial Park in North Little Rock.

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