James Edward Joyner, III age 79, was born on December 17, 1938 in the area of South Norfolk in Chesapeake, Virginia to the late James E. Joyner, II and Ruth Brown Joyner. James, whose nickname was " Jimbo " was the oldest of four children. He attended George Washington Carver High School where he played basketball and baseball. After graduating from high school he started working as a longshoreman in 1957. After three years he enlisted in the United States Army in 1960 where he served for two years and was honorably discharged in 1962. At the time of separation he was a Corporal.

On December 27, 1962 he married the love of his life, Jessie Ophelia Little. The two have been married for 55 years. They had one child together, James Edward Joyner, IV known to most family members as "Lil Jim." After his service in the military, James returned to working as a longshoreman until he retired in 1990. When he wasn't working he was an avid sports fan. He enjoyed watching basketball, baseball and was a lover of boxing. To some he was a friend and to others he was a confidant known to impart wisdom and understanding to both the young and old.

On November 5, 2018 James entered peacefully into eternal rest surrounded by the family he so loved. He is predeceased by his mother and father, Ruth and James Joyner, his brother, Horace Joyner and two sisters, Julia Wood and Ruth Denkins. He is survived by his lovely wife, Jessie Joyner and four children: James Joyner, IV (Karen), Tameka Allen-Brodnax  (Darnell), JaM'es M. Swindell (Lawrence)  and Joy A. Askew, six grandchildren: Jessica Stith, Christopher Joyner, Miyonna Swindell, Tyshawn Allen, Lashaad Boyd, Monica Allen-Boyd, three great grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.