Virginia Stewart (nee Joyner)
With heavy hearts, our family announces the passing of Virginia Stewart, who left this world peacefully on Tuesday, December 2, 2025. Born in Georgia in 1946, Virginia grew up surrounded by the deep love of her parents, Clarence Joyner and Ella Vera Joyner. In the 1960s, she made the life-changing move to Syracuse, New York, where she quickly embraced her new community and built a life filled with joy, family, and strength.
Virginia was the proud and devoted mother of three children: Tony Joyner of Georgia, Allen Joyner of Buffalo, NY, and Twonya Joyner of Syracuse, NY. Her love for her children was unwavering, and she carried them in her heart every day of her life. Her legacy continues through her cherished grandchildren — Valerie Payne, Andrew Joyner, and Nicholas Joyner — each of whom brought her immeasurable pride and happiness. She was also the adoring great-grandmother of Jaliyah Gonzalez, whose presence lit up her world. Virginia is reunited in eternal rest with her parents, Clarence Joyner and Ella Vera Joyner, her siblings Clarence Joyner Jr., Freddy Williams, and her dear former husband and lifelong friend, Andrew Stewart. She is survived by loving siblings, Stanley Williams and Marcela Joyner, who will forever hold her memory close. She also leaves behind beloved nephews, Alex and Jimmy Walker, whom she treasured deeply.
Friends may gather on Monday, December 8, 2025, from 3- 7 p.m. at the Dietrich Funeral Home, 2480 Kensington Ave., Amherst, NY 14226 where a prayer service will be held on Monday at 6p.m. Flowers gratefully declined.
Virginia will be remembered for her warmth, resilience, easy laughter, and the unwavering love she showed to everyone, fortunate enough to know her. Her strength, stubbornness, spirit, kindness, and gentle presence will be profoundly missed and forever cherished. May she rest in peace and may her memory be a blessing to all who loved her.