Thomas Allen Joiner, M.D.

Thomas Allen Joiner, M.D., age 68, of Flagler Beach, Florida, passed away at his home on Sunday, October 15, 2023, from multiple myeloma. Tommy fought the cancer bravely for several years, traveling to Advent Hospital at Orlando, Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa, and University of Alabama at Birmingham Hospital for treatment. This summer, the myeloma began winning the battle and Tommy entered Hospice Care at home, leaving this life a few days later.

Tommy is predeceased by his parents, H. Allen (Buddy) Joiner and Mary Jean Jimmerson Joiner; and sister Carol Joiner. His family includes his wife Karen Lewis Joiner; daughter and son-in-law, Dallas Joiner and Alex Santa-Eulalia of Ormond Beach, Florida; sisters Deborah Bradberry (Randy) of Loganville, Georgia and Cathy Anderson of North Carolina; sisters-in-law, Rita Lewis Chambers (Johnny) of Sandersville, Georgia and Sherry Lewis Watkins of Dublin, Georgia; and many cousins, nieces and nephews.

Tommy was born in Sandersville, Georgia on September 13, 1955. He completed his high school requirements at Washington County High School in 1972 and then attended college at the University of Georgia where he earned his BS in Zoology in 1976, graduating Summa Cum Laude. Tommy had wanted to be a doctor for as long as he could remember, following in the footsteps of his neighbor, Dr. Farris McElreath, a small town doctor who made daily house calls to care for Tommy’s younger sister Carol. Tommy attended medical school at the Medical College of Georgia in Augusta, Georgia, receiving his MD Degree in 1980. He completed a one year internship at Medical Center of Central Georgia in Macon, and in 1981 he received his license to practice Medicine and Surgery in Georgia.

On June 11, 1983, he married Karen Lewis of Sandersville, Georgia. The couple began their marriage in Milledgeville, Georgia where Tommy was an Emergency Medicine physician at Baldwin County Hospital (now Atrium Health Navicent Baldwin) and also a Family Practice physician. In 1987, after much discussion between husband and wife, Tommy made the decision to pursue further medical education. Tommy and Karen relocated to Macon, Georgia, where Tommy entered a 3 year Internal Medicine Residency program at The Medical Center of Central Georgia in affiliation with Mercer University School of Medicine. He completed this residency in 1990, just after the birth of his daughter Dallas. In that same year, the family moved to Lexington, Kentucky, where Tommy entered a three year fellowship in Cardiology at the University of Kentucky Albert B. Chandler Medical Center, completing the fellowship in 1993. He always joked that he was 38 years old when he started his first “real job.” Tommy was Board Certified in Internal Medicine, Cardiovascular Disease, and Interventional Cardiology.

In 1993, the Joiners moved back to Georgia, landing in Albany, where Tommy joined Cardiology Associates. He spent the next 20 years in a career he really enjoyed, while being the best doctor he could be to his patients. He spent time with all of them, explaining their heart issues and the procedures he performed on them. And they loved him.

In his spare time, Tommy volunteered as his daughter’s youth soccer and basketball coach for several years, even coaching a girls’ youth travel soccer team. He continued in this role until Dallas was old enough to play on school teams, transitioning to the parent who missed only One of her soccer games and None of her basketball games throughout middle and high school. Dallas also rode horses competitively, so when Tommy’s weekend call schedule allowed, he accompanied his wife and daughter to horse shows, both local and in other cities and states. As a result, the horse shows became big family events where Tommy could spend lots of time with his wife and his daughter.

As the years passed, and Dallas left for college and medical school in Florida, Tommy and Karen decided to make one final move…beginning their search for a town in Florida where they would be closer to their daughter, and Tommy could continue to practice cardiology. He wasn’t ready to retire….yet. The couple also wanted to live in a small town where they could be an active part of the community and know their neighbors. Flagler Beach, Florida met the requirements and was only 3 miles from Tommy’s job offer at Advent Health Palm Coast. They loved their new town, and Dr. Joiner enjoyed 6 great years at Advent, before he was diagnosed with multiple myeloma in March, 2018, and was unable to continue his practice. He found his last home in a town where he knew the mayor and city commissioners, all of his neighbors, and the Chief of Police in Flagler Beach. Dr. Joiner will be missed by many.

Tommy’s burial took place on Wednesday, October 18 at 3:00 pm in a private ceremony at Craig Flagler Palms Cemetery in Palm Coast, Florida.

PLEASE join the family for a Celebration of the Life of Thomas (Tommy) Joiner, M.D., on Sunday, November 5, 2023 from 3 - 5 PM at the Joiner Residence, 1408 South Ocean Shore Blvd., Flagler Beach, FL.

The family encourages friends and relatives of the Joiners to stop by, even if for only a few minutes. There will be no formal program, but a few family members will speak and everyone else is encouraged to share anything they would like. Appetizers and drinks will be served.

In lieu of flowers, donations in honor of Thomas Joiner, M.D. may be made to the following organizations:

Flagler Beach Police Department , 204 S Flagler Avenue, Flagler Beach, Fl 32136. Send to the attention of: Matt Doughney, Chief of Police and Write “Donation Fund” on your check.

Flagler Beach Fire Department Station 11 (320 S Flagler Avenue, Flagler Beach, Fl 32136. Specify on your check that it is a donation.

Condolences may be sent online to www.craigflaglerpalms.com

This is a courtesy announcement by May and Smith Funeral Directors