Hubert Lane Joyner

SHREVEPORT, LA - A life well-lived in service to his family, friends, country, customers and most of all, his Lord and Savior, ended on Thursday, January 15, 2015, when Hubert Lane Joyner, 89, left the toils and tribulations of this earthly world for an eternity in Heaven.

Born on November 11, 1925 in Ashland to Nelwyn Walker and Henry Joyner, Hubert was a depression child who grew up to embrace life with the gift of a smile and a train whistle or quip to those he encountered. When asked how he was, Mr. Joyner would respond with "better than I deserve," or "I'm so broke if it took a nickel to get to the moon, I couldn't get to the launching pad."

A Celebration of life for the man many called "the bug man," will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, January 19, 2015 at First Baptist Church of Shreveport with graveside services to follow at Forest Park East. First Baptist pastor Dr. Jeff Raines will conduct services. The family will receive friends at Rose-Neath Marshall Street from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Sunday, January 18, 2015.

Survived by his wife of 65 years, Virginia Dupree Joyner, Mr. Joyner also leaves behind daughters Ginellen Hunter (Brian), Emilane Watson (Jimmy) and Elenrae Joyner, and brother James H. Joyner (Lorraine). He also leaves behind grandchildren Tara W. Bilow (Kevin), David Hunter (Jennifer), Jared Watson, Alanea Watson and Seth Taylor. He had four great-grandchildren, Lane and Lillie Hunter, Callum Bilow, and baby girl Bilow. Several nieces and nephews also survive.

Mr. Joyner, who graduated from LSU with degrees in agriculture and entomology, opened Joyner's Pest Control in 1955, then Joyner Tour & Travel in 1985. Both continue operations today through family members. He was a deacon and 50-plus year member of First Baptist, 50 years in the South Shreveport Rotary Club, where he never ate a meal, and 50 years with the Fair Park Lodge. An avid supporter of LSU athletics, Mr. Joyner also loved fishing with James Bolton and Paul Walker, along with the late Reet Lawhon and Robert Wilson.

Mr. Joyner has been awarded the French Republic's "Legion of Honor" for assisting in liberating France as a member General Patton's Army during World War II, where he fought in the Battle of the Bulge. He also served his country in the Korean War as a U.S. Marine. He was one of "The Chosin Few," after surviving being trapped in the Chosin Reservoir in 1950 by North Koreans. He was injured in that conflict.

At the service, Mr. Joyner will be draped in a flag flown at the U.S. Capitol in his honor on September 2, 1981, at the request of the Honorable J. Bennett Johnston.

Mr. Joyner was preceded in death by his parents, brother Troy Joyner and sisters Rubye Joyner Cobb and Marguerite Joyner Mobley.

Pallbearers will be Dr. Don Holton, Dr. Charles Hubley, J. J. Janquela, Peter Moncrief, Dr. Stan Wilkins and Josh Yarbrough.

Honorary pallbearers are the members of the FBC Triple Triangle Sunday School class, the FBC board of deacons and the firefighters/paramedics of SFD Stations 10 and 7, who frequently responded to his needs.

The family would like to thank Eveline Kinard, Ron Grossi, and Dr. James Giddens of the VA Hospital, along with caregivers Ruth Franks, Lynette Jackson, Emma Davis, Tina Lenard and Vivian Bryant.

Memorials may be made to the Heritage Room, First Baptist Church, 543 Ockley Drive, Shreveport, LA 71106, or to the charity of your choice.