Birth Date: 08/20/1936
Deceased Date: 08/20/2023
Princeton – Joel Ruth Joyner Gonzalez, age 87, went to be with her Lord and Savior on Sunday, August 20, 2023, at UNC Johnston Health of Smithfield. Born, August 20, 1936, in Durham County, she was the daughter of the late Luther Samuel and Polly Rich Joyner. She is preceded in death by her husband Rev. Edmundo G. Gonzalez Sr., grandson, Lincoln Gonzalez and her six brothers.
Joel was a devoted pastor’s wife for more than fifty years. A member of Rains Crossroads Free Will Baptist Church in Princeton, she enjoyed the many activities of the Ladies’ Auxiliary and Nifty Fifties Club. She especially looked forward to spending time with her friends in The Birthday Club and truly valued their many years of friendship and support. She was a loving wife, supportive and encouraging mother, and very proud of her many grand and great grandchildren. She will be dearly missed by all of her family.
Funeral services will be conducted on Wednesday, August 23, 2023, at 2:00 p.m. at Rains Crossroads Free Will Baptist Church in Princeton with the burial to follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends on Tuesday, August 22, 2023, from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. at Parrish Funeral Home in Selma.
She is survived by her children; Deborah Barkley (Brad) of Charlotte, NC, Carla Urena (Steven) of Raleigh, NC, Eddie Gonzalez (Linda) of Kenly,NC, Paul Gonzalez ( Karrie Ann) of Turkey, NC, grandchildren; Matthew Barkley (Jill), Stephen Barkley, Ashley Gonzalez (Brent), Jamie Gonzalez, Leslie Gonzalez, Lucas Gonzalez, Lindsey (Lola) Urena, Lauren Urena, great-grandchildren; Hayley Barkley, Ava Barkley, Analise Strickland and Baileigh Strickland.
Flowers are acceptable or memorial donations may be sent to Rains Crossroads Free Will Baptist Church with memo for the women’s auxiliary at 5430 Princeton – Kenly Road, Kenly, NC, 27542.
