Mrs. Frances Joyner Gunnells, age 70 died peacefully at her home on Sunday, May 25, 2008. She was married to Alec Gunnells in 1969. She was a member of the Rich Square Baptist Church and previously a member of the Woodland Baptist Church. While at the Rich Square Baptist Church, Frances served as a member of the choir, she was a Sunday school teacher and a member of the Rich Square Young Baptist Women’s Circle. Frances was responsible for starting the Red Hats in Rich Square and remained an active member. She was also a member of the Rich Square Garden Club. She worked as a bookkeeper for many years throughout the community. Frances was loved by all that knew her, she was especially close to her nieces and nephews. Preceding her in death are her mother, Mary Miles Joyner, her father, James Henry Joyner and her brother, Donald Lee Joyner.
Survivors include her husband, Alec Gunnells of the home, three sisters; Edna J. Burkett and her husband William of Woodland, Shirley Ann Joyner of Ahoskie and Brenda J. White and her husband Russell of Seaboard, two brothers; Sidney J. Joyner of Woodland and Milton E. Joyner of Ahoskie.