Martha Ann Tate Joyner

Martha Ann Tate Joyner, 64, of Nebo, passed away Thursday, October 22, 2026 at UNC Health Blue Ridge.

A native of McDowell County, she was born February 7, 1962 to the late Ossie Tate and Mary Ellen Rutherford Tate.

Martha was a cherished member of St. John AME Church. Whether she was cooking, planning, or coordinating church events, she was heavily involved in the work of the church. She was a wonderful cook and for the past fifteen years had been employed at Deer Park Health & Rehabilitation where she worked in the kitchen. Martha enjoyed traveling and shopping, and she was a huge Prince fan. She had an incredible sense of humor and often played jokes on her family and friends. She was a devoted mother to her son. She will be deeply missed.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by five brothers and sisters, Andrew Tate, Juan Tate, Ossie Mae Tate, Laura Lynn Tate, and Doug Rutherford.

Those left to cherish her memory are her beloved husband, William Joyner; her son, Zachary Tobias Joyner; three brothers, Victor Hubert Tate, Perry Wayne Tate (Ruby), and Jimmy Tate (Margaret); three sisters, Lucille Joyner (Glenn), Mary Elizabeth Tate, and Yola Swepson; and a host of nieces, nephews, and other extended family.

Visitation will be held on Friday, October 30, 2026 from 2:00 until 3:00 p.m. at Beam Celebration Center. A funeral service will follow at 3:00 p.m. at the funeral home.