Rhoda Joyner, 70, was a CNA caregiver

Rhoda Marie Joyner, 70, a lifelong resident of New Milford, died Jan. 20, 2012, at the Smilow Cancer Center at Yale New Haven Hospital due to an unexpected illness. She was the wife of the late Lewis Joyner, of Conway, N.C., to whom she was married for 11 years.

She was born April 13, 1941, in Waterbury, to the late Tony C. Lopes and Elizabeth Roderick. She was the daughter of her late adopted parents, Sonny and Marie Johnson Riberio.

Mrs. Joyner attended New Milford schools and was a graduate of St. Francis Parochial School in Waterbury.

She was employed as a clerk at the former New Milford Savings Bank for many years.

She was also employed at Eagle Pencil in Danbury for many years. She became a CNA caregiver, working in private homes for the past 35 years.

Mrs. Joyner loved spending time with family and friends, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

She was known to always lend an ear to those who came in contact with her, especially young people. She had a special place in her heart for young single moms.

Mrs. Joyner enjoyed dancing and listening to all kinds of music.

She loved the ocean and, while visiting with relatives on Cape Cod, she loved to sit on the beach or sometimes just take in the view from the piers. She looked forward to attending the Cape Verdean Festival while visiting family there.

Mrs. Joyner loved to travel, especially Barbados, and take cruises to the Caribbean.

She was an avid sports fan and was fond of football, baseball and basketball.

At night, she enjoyed watching "Jeopardy" and the "Wheel of Fortune" on the Game Show Network. She also enjoyed reading the Bible and biographies. She admired Eleanor Roosevelt.

Mrs. Joyner is survived by five children, Mark L. Joyner and Jason L. Joyner, of New Milford, Pamela Denise Joyner, of West Haven, Janice Marie Fleming, of Danbury, and Naomi Council, of Waterbury; a daughter-in-law, Anna Marie Joyner, of New Milford; two sisters, Rosalie Correia, of Plainfied, N.J., and Midge Fernandes, of Pocasset, Mass.; two aunts, Charlotte Baptista, of Onset, Mass., and Demiciana Gomes, of Williamsburg, Va.; longtime friend, Edward King, of Danbury; a niece, Missy Correia, of Plainfield, N.J.; a cousin, Olivia Pennywell, of New Milford; and a host of nephews, cousins and friends. In addition to her husband, Mrs. Joyner was predeceased by an aunt, Henrietta Peckham, of New Milford; three uncles, Herbert Johnson, Buddy Pennywell, and William "Sonny" Lopes Sr., of New Bedford, Mass.; a niece, Linda Correia.

A service will be held in April or May.

The Lillis Funeral Home in New Milford was in charge of arrangements.