The following obituary was prepared by Betty Poyner’s family:
Elizabeth (Betty) Jean Poyner, 71, slipped peacefully into the presence of her heavenly Father after a courageous two-year battle with ovarian cancer on Monday, December 10, 2007, surrounded by her loved ones and devoted husband of 50 years.
Born October 10, 1936, in Waterloo, Iowa, Betty was the youngest of three children of Wert and Violet Van Eaton. After growing up in Waterloo, Betty’s professional nursing career began when she completed her RN degree at Kahler Methodist Nursing School in Rochester, MN.
She then went on to earn her BA Professional Arts degree from St. Joseph College in Windham, ME and a MBA from Frostburg University in Frostburg, MD. From 1991 to 2005, Betty was the director of Flagler Hospital’s Home Health Services in St. Augustine, FL, retiring in December of 2005.
In 2004, Betty was selected to become an elite member of the Certified Home/Hospice Care Executives. After retiring from Flagler Hospital, she continued to work part-time for Parkview Baptist Church located in Palm Coast, FL.
Betty was married on June 7, 1958 to Randall Eugene Poyner of Jesup, Iowa. During these 50 years of endearing companionship, Betty was a devoted wife, loving mother, and doting grandmother.
Because of Betty’s love for her God and innate sense of service, she also embraced the pastoral ministry alongside her husband, Rev. Dr. Randy Poyner, by directing women’s ministry and Christian education in Goshen, IN; Johnstown, PA; Lansing, MI; Fort Myers, FL; Hagerstown, MD; Little Rock, AR; and Palm Coast, FL. Betty’s home-style cooking was just one of her many endless gifts of hospitality.
Survivors include her husband, three children – Susan (Mike) Blackwell (Ft Myers, FL), Timothy (Sue) Poyner (Winona Lake, IN), and Mark (Christy) Poyner (Charleston, SC), seven grandchildren – Keith and Harmony Blackwell, Jordan, Jacob and Karly Poyner, Cameron and Ashley Poyner, siblings – Janie (Lindsey) Russell, James (Helen) Van Eaton, and several nieces and nephews.
A memorial service for Elizabeth (Betty) Jean Poyner will be held Saturday, December 22, 2007 at 10 am at Parkview Baptist Church located at 5435 Bell Terre Pkwy in Palm Coast, FL.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be made in Betty’s name to the Hospice of Volusia/Flagler, 3800 Woodbriar Trail, Port Orange, FL 32129. Arrangements are under the care of Clymer Funeral Home in Palm Coast, FL.