The staff and board of directors are deeply saddened by the loss of one of our founding board member and my uncle, Albert L. Joyner, Sr.
Al Joyner was a proud graduate of Tuskegee (Institute) University and lifetime supporter of his alma mater. Additionally, Al’s generosity extended to Alabama A & M University, Alabama State University, Miles College, and Jackson State University.
To say that Al was “integral” in the founding and establishment of the Tom Joyner Foundation is an understatement. Al assisted us with building our mission, establishing best practices, staffing our organization, and establishing programs at the Tom Joyner Foundation that are still in place today.
The Tom Joyner Foundation is grateful for his passion, his devotion, and his guidance and advise to our board, our scholarship recipients, and to me personally.
Al was a great man who will be missed. Thank you for everything, Uncle Albert.
Monday, June 8, 2015 at 11:00 a.m.
Omega Service at 9:30a.m.
Anderson United Methodist Church
6205 Hanging Moss Road
Jackson, MS 39206
Funeral Arrangements for Tuskegee, Alabama will be held on
Tuesday, June 9, 2015 at 1:00p.m.
Omega Service at 12:00 p.m.
Tuskegee University Chapel
1200 West Montgomery Road
Tuskegee, Alabama
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to The Al Joyner Memorial Scholarship, by clicking on the button below.
If you wish to send a check, please make your check payable to the “Tom Joyner Foundation” and in the memo field on the check, write “Al Joyner Memorial Scholarship. You may send the check to the following address: Tom Joyner Foundation c/o Al Joyner Memorial Scholarship Fund, PO Box 630495, Irving, TX 75063-0495.
Here’s a more detailed bio:
Albert Joyner, one of the nation’s most successful owners of McDonald’s franchises and philanthropist, passed away in Jackson, Mississippi on Wednesday June 3, 2015. He was 69.
Joyner was a fervent family man and is survived by his wife, Danita, and four children – Michael, Allison, Danielle and Albert Jr. He is also survived by his brother, Tom, and nephews Thomas Joyner, Jr. and Oscar Joyner.
Albert shared his brother, syndicated radio personality Tom Joyner’s, passion for education and served as an active board member of the Tom Joyner Foundation.
Known for his dry wit and keen business acumen, he bought his first McDonald’s franchise in Mobile, Alabama. With the success of this first restaurant, he formed My Joy, Inc. and went on to own numerous franchises in Birmingham and Jackson, Mississippi. Mack Wilbourn, one of the first minority McDonald’s franchises in the Southeast, as well as Joyner’s mentor and friend, has said that one of his greatest accomplishments was mentoring Albert Joyner.
Always with an eye to make something happen – Albert collaborated with his brother to break the regional record for the most cars served in a McDonald’s drive-through in an hour at one of his Jackson Mississippi locations. At the end of the hour, 419 cars had been served, breaking the previous record of 288 at a Baton Rouge McDonald’s.
Born in Tuskegee, Alabama, Albert Joyner attended Tuskegee Institute High School and graduated from the famed Tuskegee University (née Institute), majoring in physical education.
In lieu of flowers, click here to make a donation to the Al Joyner Memorial Scholarship Fund, benefiting students at Tuskegee University, his alma mater.
If you wish to send a check, please make your check payable to the “Tom Joyner Foundation” and in the memo field on the check, write “Al Joyner Memorial Scholarship. You may send the check to the following address: Tom Joyner Foundation c/o Al Joyner Memorial Scholarship Fund, PO Box 630495, Irving, TX 75063-0495.