Kristin Lee Gardner Joyner

AVENTON - Kristin Lee Gardner Joyner, 61, passed away Wednesday, January 04, 2011. Born October 30, 1949 in Havre de Grace, MD, she was the oldest daughter of Roland and Cecile Gardner.
She attended St. Patrick Parochial School through the 8th grade. Being from a military family, Kristin moved quite a bit during her childhood. She graduated from Kaiserslautern American High School in Germany. After returning to New Jersey, she married Norman Tienmann, Jr. and in 1969, Norman Tienmann III was born. After her husband joined the Navy, the marriage disintegrated.
Kristin returned east and married Richard Ridenour from Essex, MD. They produced two children, Kimberly Beth and Richard Dennis Ridenour, Jr. This marriage ended after eleven years.
Kristin and her children settled in Lynchburg, VA where she worked as a teacher's aide with special needs children. She spent much of her time studying environmental dangers to children.
When her two older children were in high school, Kristin married for the 3rd time, Albert R. Joyner of Whitakers, NC. They had one child, a son Michael, born in Lynchburg, VA. The house they lived in was cute and cozy but turned out to be full of lead. Michael became quite ill, and the next 15 years were spent getting him through the lead poisoning and educated.
Along the way, she won the 1st parent volunteer lead award and the lifetime achievement award for all her years in lead work.
Kristin passed away as a result of metastatic liver cancer. Some of her favorite things were reading, crochet, and gardening. She will be missed by friends and others who knew her.
A service to remember Kristin will be held at 2:00pm Saturday, January 08, 2011 at Fishing Creek Baptist Church with Pastor Wayne Smith officiating. There will be no visitation but family can be called on at the home to offer condolences.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the American Lead Poisoning Help Association, Inc., P.O. Box 403, Riverside NJ 08075, which is a national parent support group assisting families dealing with lead poisoning.
Arrangements entrusted to Wheeler and Woodlief Funeral Home, 1130 N. Winstead Ave., Rocky Mount, NC. You may share your memories and send condolences to the family by visiting www.wheelerwoodlief.com.