Complete 2012 Journal - 2012 NC Conference Journal

306 The North Carolina Annual Conference – 2012 Journal
Jean Middleton Hedden
1924-2011
Jean Hedden, 87, of Wilmington, died on the morning of
October 12, 2011 following a brief illness. She was born June
7, 1924 in Rockdale, PA to Herman G. Middleton and Jennie
Barr Middleton. Jean spent her childhood in Lima, PA and
graduated from Temple University with a degree in education.
Jean worked many years for The United Methodist Church in
the field of Christian education. Through her work, she blessed
and helped to change the lives of many children. It was also
through her work with the National Board of Missions for The
United Methodist Church that she met her beloved husband,
Forrest D. Hedden Sr. The couple, together, served The United
Methodist Church in eastern North Carolina.
Jean was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, and siblings William, John and Betty.
Survivors include three stepchildren, all of Wilmington.
Jean’s church family at Pine Valley United Methodist Church and her Birch Creek
community were truly important to her. She felt it was a gift to be part of these communities
that blessed her life and shared much happiness with her.
Louise “Toni” Vance Joyner
1935-2011
Toni Joyner died September 21, 2011, at Duke Medical Center in Durham. She was born
June 11, 1935, in Montclair, New Jersey, the second daughter of William A. and Helen
Gregson Vance. After graduating from The College of New Jersey (Trenton State College),
Toni taught in the public schools of Roxbury Township, New Jersey. On January 30, 1960,
she married F. Belton Joyner, Jr., who was then a student at Drew University School of
Theology in Madison, New Jersey. In 1961, Toni and Belton began full-time service in
Belton’s native North Carolina Conference.
Toni developed a ministry of pre-school education, serving at Duke Memorial Child
Development Center in Durham, Emmanuel Day Care in Burlington, Manly Street Child
Development Center in Raleigh, Walnut Terrace Child Development Center in Raleigh, and
Frank Porter Graham Child Development Center in Chapel Hill. One director said, “Toni
showed more ingenuity and variation in language than any teacher I have observed in the
pre-school classroom. She was unflappable, humorous, and beloved by her kids.”
In retirement, Toni volunteered at the Ruth Sheets Adult Care Center at Edenton Street
Church in Raleigh and at Cary Red Cross, where she received several recognitions for longterm
service.
Toni’s spirit of grace gave support to Belton as he received several appointments in the
North Carolina Conference: organization of Pine Valley Church in Wilmington; Oleander
Church in Wilmington; Mt. Bethel Church in Bahama; conference staff in youth and young