My cousin Gary McDonald Joyner was the only child born to my Aunt Thelma and Uncle Cle-Arthur. As an only child and son he was adored by family and spoiled by his mother.
Gary was in his twenties when he was admitted to a psychiatric hospital and stayed there for nineteen years. During that time, in 1963 his mother died from cancer. After my aunt's death, my mother who was always family oriented went every Sunday to visit Gary. She even took my brother, cousin and me with her. My mother brought Gary things that he asked for — cooked food, cigarettes, etc.
When Gary was able to enter the outside world, he stayed with us until my mother found an apartment for him. Later on in years, the apartment was sold and my mother found him another one. Gary lived there until his death in 2001.
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Donors & Their Families
