Joan Marie Randolph

LEADER, TRAINER, WORLD TRAVELER, BUSINESS WOMAN, GO-GETTER , TRAIL BLAZER , STRENGTHENER, NURTURER, ENCOURAGER, COMPASSIONATE, CAREGIVER, AND LOVER OF GOD…

Joan Marie Tinker Randolph was born November 15, 1935 to the late Welton and Viola Mason in Washington, DC. She received her early education in Washington, D.C. public schools. Joan enjoyed and was very active during her school years, having perfect attendance and making several honor rolls. She participated in plays, piano recitals, and held the position of President of a social club in High School (at that time teenagers formed social clubs). It was after giving a farewell speech to her graduating sixth grade class with a grinning superintendent of schools sitting on the front row, that she realized, “I was born to lead”. After graduating from Cardozo High School in NW D.C. Joan thought she would not do anything. But because she was a person who always had to be “doing something or be involved in something”, she pursued a career in business attending a business college in DC. While attending the business college, Joan met, fell in love with and married, Raymond Nathaniel Tinker just out of the military. And a year later, their union was blessed with a daughter, Rene’ Marie. Three years later the Tinkers were blessed with a son, Eric Nathaniel. After finishing Business College, Joan took the civil service exam and entered into the ranks of the federal government. She spent the next 36 years working first at the Patent Office as a typist and then as an analyst and a Supervisor for the Social Security Administration. It was during this time that she met and married Monroe Randolph but unfortunately was widowed four months later when he was killed. Joan was a diligent and dedicated worker throughout her career in the United States Government, reaching the coveted goal of retirement on June 14, 1991 after 36 years of celebrated and honored service.

Joan received many awards and recognition for her dedicated work and servanthood in her community. She became a volunteer in the pediatric ward of Inova Alexandria Hospital, giving her time and love to the babies born there especially the ones with special needs. She also volunteered at the Fairfax County Public Library and at a consignment shop in Virginia where she lived for a time. But the joy of her life was being a member of Mount Horeb Baptist Church. From childhood, Joan enjoyed a relationship with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, attending church and singing in the choir. At Mount Horeb, where she was a member for over six decades, she served in the music ministry singing in Choir 2 (Chancel Choir) and served in the Tutorial, Mentoring and Counseling Program. She also served in the capacity of church clerk for 17 years.

Joan’s past times were traveling both nationally and internationally with her friends and family. Especially taking the yearly July 4th trips to Virginia Beach with her son, Eric and her beautiful granddaughters, Janee’ and Erin. Once on an overnight outing with them in downtown D.C., the highlight of that trip was when they were mistaken for Sasha and Malia Obama and Grandma Marian (Michelle Obama’s mom)! Another delight for her were the visits from her grandson, Ricky (Eric, Jr.) and his children, Destiny, Jaden and Jiya. Joan LOVED her family! She also enjoyed taking church trips with her church family to the SIGHT AND SOUND THEATRE in Lancaster, Pa to see the live productions of the Bible and was often accompanied by her daughter, Rene’. A sharp dresser, she did not pass up shopping sprees for clothes but especially for shoes, shoes … and more SHOES!

Joan was a strong and compassionate leader, her life impacting and influencing so many other lives. She was a “giver” who cared about and unselfishly cared for people as she lovingly did for her father and mother in their later years of life. So it was that in her later years, the “care giver” reaped what she so often sowed. She will always be remembered as a quiet and kind-hearted person, who always had a pleasant word, a quick sense of humor, and a wonderful smile. Her hands and heart were always willing to help others and her ears were always open to listen. A friend in need and a friend indeed, she is affectionately loved and admired by those who truly knew her.

Joan was preceded in death by her father Welton Mason and mother Viola Mason. She is survived by one sister, Betty Jean George (Roland), her children, Rene’ Marie Jones (Garland) and Eric Tinker, nieces Lynne Dorsey (Avonn) and Jeaninne Richardson (Shawn), grandchildren, Eric Jr, Janee’ and Erin Tinker. Many years ago, Joan told God, “I want to live long enough to see my kids grow up (she said “and they turned out pretty good”!). And I want to see my grandkids”! GOD IS FAITHFUL! He also blessed her to see three great- grandchildren, Destiny, Jaden and Jiya and a great-great grandson, Davion! She will be fondly remembered by great-nieces, great-nephews and a host of other relatives, friends, neighbors and fellow members of her beloved Mount Horeb Baptist Church.

Joan cherished some very special friendships over the past 60 years with Edna Gaines and Eloise Townes. And during the last two and one half years of her life, she developed a special relationship and rapport with her loving and faithful caregiver, Mrs. Shirley Russell.