Haywood Joiner Obituary

It is with great sadness and heart-felt reverence that we announce the passing of Dr. Haywood Berkley Joiner, Jr., affectionately known as Junior, who entered into eternal rest on July 23, 2025. Born on October 12, 1946, in Boyce, LA, Haywood spent his life embodying the qualities of dedication, compassion, loyalty, and inspiration.
Haywood B. Joiner, Jr., Ed. D, M. Ed., B.A., MLT(ASCP) is the son of the late Haywood B. Joiner, Sr., and the late Juanita Hankins Joiner. Haywood lived his faith, having accepted Christ at an early age and baptized by the late Rev. Charles F. Smith, Sr. Dr. Joiner is a graduate of A. Wettermark High School, Boyce, La. Following his graduation from high school he entered Grambling College where he received the BA Degree. He obtained the Master's degree in Education from Northwestern State University, Natchitoches, LA, and the Doctor of Education with a Cognate in Allied Health from Grambling State University. Haywood was a luminary in the field of education and his dedication to teaching and helping others was mirrored in his personal life, as he was a beacon of hope and positivity. He was passionate about spending time with his grandchildren, spreading the word of Jesus, and engaging in community service. He was a man who lived by the verse, "So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience" (Colossians 3:12)
He is a veteran of the United States Air Force where he served four years as a Medical Laboratory Specialist with the Nellis AFB Hospital, Nellis Air Force Base, Las Vegas, Nevada. Following an honorable discharge from the Air Force he returned home to serve as medical laboratory evening supervisor at St. Frances Cabrini Hospital, Alexandria, LA. He was employed at St. Frances Cabrini Hospital for 25 years having served as laboratory supervisor, laboratory co-director, director of education, regional director of education, chairman of the board of regents of the SCH Learning Institute, and director of human resources. Following his 25 years with Cabrini Hospital he went on to become Administrator of Winward Hospital of Alexandria. He served as Winward's Administrator for two years. All of Dr. Joiner's positions listed above were first for African Americans.
In 1998, he accepted a position as Director of the Medical Laboratory Science program at Southern University, Shreveport (SUSLA). In addition to his position as MLS Program Director, he also served as Chairman of the Division of Allied Health at SUSLA. While at Southern Shreveport, Dr. Joiner, along with Dr. Emmanuel Igbokwe, wrote the Letter of Intent and Proposal for the establishment of the first Associate of Science in Nursing program at SUSLA. In 2016,
Dr. Joiner served as Interim Chancellor of LSU at Alexandria (LSUA), Chair, Department of Business, Chair, Department of Education and Chair, Department of Nursing. In addition, he served as the first Dean of the College of Health and Human Services at LSUA. The College of Health and Human Services houses the Department of Allied Health, School of Education, and School of Nursing. He recently retired from the position of Chair, Department of Allied Health at LSUA. Except for Chair, Department of Nursing, he was the first African American to be selected for these positions at LSUA. While at LSUA Dr. Joiner developed various degrees including the Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Science, Bachelor of Science in Health Professions with Concentrations in Healthcare Administration, Cardiovascular Technology, Cardiac Device Sales and Marketing, Echocardiography, Medical Imaging, and the Bachelor of General Studies with Concentrations in Health Sciences and Pharmaceutical Sales and Marketing. In addition, through partnerships with LSU Health Science Center/School of Dentistry and Louisiana State University at Eunice (LSUE), he was instrumental in bringing to the LSUA campus the Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene and the Associate of Science in Surgical Technology.
He is a member of the Good Hope Missionary Baptist Church, Boyce, La., where he serves in various capacities. His community service activities include, Past President and Commissioner, Central Louisiana Regional Port Board of Commissioners; member, Ethics Committee Christus St. Frances Cabrini Hospital; Past Board Chair and Member Emeritus, Central Louisiana Area Health Education Center; Past Board President, Arna Bontemps African American Museum Board of Directors; member and Education Director, Epsilon Psi Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.; Past President, Rotary Club of Alexandria; member, Region 6 Workforce Investment Board; Secretary, Boyce Temple Lodge #221, A.F. and A.M., member, Community Relations Board, Federal Corrections Complex, Pollock, LA, Advisor and Board Member Emeritus, Sickle Cell Anemia Resources Foundation, and Past Chair, Board of Trustees, Rapides Regional Medical Center. His professional activities include Associate Member, American Society for Clinical Pathology; member, American Society for Microbiology, and member, South Central Branch of the American Society for Microbiology.
Dr. Joiner was inducted into the Louisiana Justice Hall of Fame, Class of 2019, and is a recipient of the Rotary Club of Alexandria's highest honor, the Service Above Self Award. He was also honored by the Central Louisiana African American Culture and Heritage Center for his distinguished service to the Central Louisiana community and beyond.
He is preceded in death by his father Haywood B. Joiner Sr, his mother Juanita Joiner, his sisters Geraldine Smith and Gloria Vantree, and his nephew Britten Joiner.
Haywood is survived by his beloved family, including his wife Mary Joiner, his daughter Angela Joiner-Johnson (Johnny), his son Haywood Joiner, III, his brother Dr. Charles R. Joiner (Grace), and his sister Brenda Robinson (Charles); his grandchildren: Jeremy Greer, Erin Joiner, Madison Johnson, Miles Johnson, and great-grandson Carson Williams, and a host of nieces, nephews, and godchildren. His family, colleagues, and community were the pillars of Haywood's life, and his spirit of benevolence will be remembered by all. Haywood once said, "Whatever the mind can conceive, you can achieve if you believe." His life's work and the impact he made on the lives of others are a testament to this belief.
Public viewing and visitation will be held on Saturday, August 2, 2025, at 9:00 am CDT at St Matthew Baptist Church located at 5605 Old Boyce Road, Boyce, Louisiana, 71409. The funeral service will follow at 11:00 am CDT at the same location. The final committal rites will be held at 1:30 pm CDT at Greenwood Memorial Park Cemetery, located at 2202 Military Highway, Pineville, Louisiana, 71360.
We encourage those who knew and loved Haywood to share their memories and upload photos to his memorial page. Your stories and pictures will help keep his spirit alive and serve as a comforting space for those mourning his loss. As Haywood himself would say, "If I can help somebody, then my living is not in vain." In honoring his memory, let us continue to help each other and live with the same kindness that Haywood embodied.