Dr. Joiner had a long-standing affiliation with Oakwood University, dating back to her time at Anna Knight Elementary School in the 70s. During her college years and after graduating from Oakwood University, she continued her connection by working at WOCG in various student and professional positions until she was promoted to General Manager and served in that capacity from 1989 to 2013. Among her many accomplishments, two stand out: leading the station through its name change to WJOU and establishing the live streaming service.
In addition to her role at WJOU, Dr. Joiner served Oakwood University as a Professor in the Communications Department, Manager of Oakwood Memorial Gardens, Assistant Vice President of Advancement & Development, and former Director of Alumni Relations.
From 2019 until her retirement in 2024, Dr. Joiner was also a professional at Southern Adventist University. Despite her retirement, she maintained her ties with Oakwood and WJOU as the host of “Sabbath Praise,” which aired Saturday mornings on WJOU at 8am.
Dr. Joiner will be remembered by her classmates, students, friends, colleagues, and especially her faithful WJOU listeners for her sunny personality, steadfast faith, and dedication that inspired us all to stay hopeful and strong. We extend our deepest condolences to her daughter Jennifer, son David, brother Murray, and sister Nanett.
Without a doubt, I will miss Vicki’s smile through the airwaves. She was brilliant in her profession and a master at her craft. God designed her for His good pleasure. He must have been pleased with her service! Her legend continues to live on through the many lives that she positively affected, taught, and mentored. Let our hope be the knowledge that the God she served RESTORES.
Vicki Joiner will be sorely missed each Sabbath morning – I’m so sad for the loss of this beautiful woman I’ve never met in person. I’ve been listening to her play the most beautiful praise and worship music on WJOU.org for such a long time. I would listen when I lived in Denver, CO and when I relocated to north Texas for work, I kept the station locked in and was happy I could still listen to her from Texas. I really loved how she would add her personal thoughts on real life events that we may have experienced throughout the previous week and then play a song that reminded us of the soon return of our Savior, Yahusha Ha’Mashiac, the Son of the Most High Jehovah Ahayah! I’m glad that we know that we will see her (and our loved ones who are asleep before us) again at the Sea of Glass when the Savior returns. Sincere condolences to her family, her radio family and her listening family.
Vicki had a tremendous love for music, singing (while playing music on-the-air) and teaching “us” (Oakwood radio interns) everything about radio broadcasting. As interns we quickly learned how fast Vicki could run down the hall to the studio, to tell us to “POT DOWN” that song!! Your not supposed to be playing that! (Don’t you see that color dot??) Or signaling us (usually in sign language) to turn up the microphone while reading the morning newcast! She even taught us how to smile while talking on-the-air because she said that “smile” comes through your voice over the airwaves to those who listen. Thank you Vicki for showing us how to share the love of Jesus with the Tennessee Valley and beyond. Those unique lessons, fun and laughter…will be with us forever. See you on that “great gettin’ up morning!!”
My deepest condolences to my Suite-mate Nanett and family. You are all in my prayers. Sending love and hugs from Maryland.
Listening to WJOU’s Sabbath Praise with Dr. Joiner right after the word with Past. D. L. McPhaull was an absolute delight. Her infectious energy could be felt through the lines (for me that was usually from NYC using the TuneIn app or the website; it was especially a comfort when I was overseas). I loved that the “psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs [were] dedicated wholly to lifting Him up and praising His name”. Her presence will be missed & I pray that we will be comforted until we meet again that great resurrection morning.