Posthumously
Mr. M. C. Joyner was born on May 11, 1911 in Tipton County, Tennessee. He attended public schools in Munford, Tennessee where he was an outstanding football and basketball player.
He completed his college career at Union University where he competed in football, basketball, and boxing. He was the MVP and captain of the 1934 and 1935 football teams. He was drafted by the New York Giants of the National Football League, but was unable to play due to a severe shoulder injury. During the spring of 1935, Mr. Joyner became friends with Paul "Bear" Bryant, who was coaching football at Union University. Over the years, Coach Bryant visited the Joyners on multiple occasions as he recruited players for Kentucky, Vanderbilt, and the University of Alabama.
In 1936 Mr. Joyner was appointed Director of Athletics, principal and head football coach at Peabody High School, Trenton, Tennessee, where he implemented the first physical education program. Mr. Joyner regularly coached state tournament bound football and basketball teams. He was the only Peabody coach to coach both a state tournament basketball team and a Big Ten Conference High School Football Championship Team in the same year.
In 1942 Mr. Joyner entered the army serving with the Combat Engineers and was highly decorated. He saw action at both the Remagen Bridge and the "Battle of the Bulge. He returned to Peabody High School and coached for one year before accepting a position at Christian Brothers College as football coach. In 1950 Mr. Joyner returned to Trenton where he operated his own hardware business until his death in 1972.
Mr. Joyner married Frances Blecher in 1947. They had three children: Edward Joyner, Beverly Joyner Wallin, and William Joyner.
