(Crenshaw, MS) People in Crenshaware remembering a volunteer firefighter who helped keep them safe.
Assistant Fire Chief Hubert Joyner was injured in July when part of the wall of an adult daycare center came crashing down on him.
Joyner died 17 days after being admitted to the MED.
Crenshaw mayor Oscar Barlow said the town has lost an assistant fire chief, and he has lost a friend.
“He will be missed. He was a fixture around here. When he walked into a room, he lit it up with his loud voice.”
Just around the corner from Mayor Barlow’s office is a grim reminder of the terrible accident that injured and eventually led to the death of Joyner.
On July 22nd, Joyner was crushed beneath concrete blocks after the roof and part of a wall on an adult daycare center in Crenshaw collapsed.
Joyner had numerous broken bones and suffered a heart attack while hospitalized at the MED.
Mayor Barlow said Joyner’s injuries proved to be too much.
“Hubert just never recovered.”
Mayor Barlow says Joyner was going to check on some of the adults in the center when the collapse happened.
“He was just that type of person, that he believed in helping people and that was an everyday thing for him. When he got up in the morning, before the day was over, he was going to help somebody.”
Flags around Crenshaw have been lowered to half-staff.
On Friday at the volunteer fire department where Hubert Joyner worked, a mechanic was getting a fire engine ready for Joyner’s funeral.
Daphne Rogers, a cousin of Joyner, said the family is in shock and the town has lost a dedicated firefighter.
“Whenever anything happened in this town, you could always depend on Chief Joyner to be on the scene, aiding and making sure everything was okay.”
Towns like Crenshaw depend on volunteer firefighters to save lives.
Volunteers like Hubert Joyner never get a paycheck and don’t have benefits.
That’s why the First Security Bank in Crenshaw established a fund for Joyner shortly after his accident to help with medical bills.
Bonnie Hall, loan assistant at First Security Bank, said with Hubert Joyner’s death, his family will need any donations the community can make.
“I’m sure there’s going to be a lot of expenses with his wife and trying to prepare for the funeral and medical bills. Anything would help the family right now.”
Funeral arraignments are pending.
Anyone who wants to help the Joyner family can contribute to the fund by going to any First Security Bank and asking about the Hubert Joyner Fund.
Mayor Barlow also released the following statement:
“I come this morning sadden and with a heavy heart, to announce the passing of Our beloved Asst. Fire Chief Hubert Joyner. Hubert will be missed more than words can describe. He was a major part of the administration. He was a man that truly loved his God, family, country and town. He was sincere when helping others never expecting nothing in return. On a personnel note he was a very close friend and I will miss him. We look to God’s word and we know he will give the family and our administration strength to carry us during the tough times ahead. We pray for the family who loved him and he loved them. God bless.”