Joyce Gale (King) Saine

Joyce Gale (King) Saine, age 72, of Dahlonega, GA, died at Northeast Georgia Medical Center in Gainesville, GA, on June 21, 2016 following a short period of serious illness.

Joyce was preceded in death by several people whom she loved and missed, among them the love of her life, her husband Paul Saine. Also going before her were her parents, Marshall B. and Margaret Nelson King of North Carolina; her grandparents JE and Laura Ashe King and OL and Bessie Nelson of NC; and a sister-in-law, Annie Saine, of Dahlonega.

Those remaining behind who will miss Joyce very much are her son Brantley Paul Saine, Dahlonega; brother David R. (Bob) (Ann) Nelson, Athens, AL; sisters-in-law Cora Pierce, Gainesville, TX; Helen (Mike) Nicolai, Cumming; Betty (Ken) Petrie, Dahlonega; and Laura (William) Thacker, Dahlonega. Oh, and Bear the Big Black Dog, who loved and protected Joyce except when he crawled into her lap for comfort during thunderstorms.

The family is grateful to Pat Tooley, long-time friend and housekeeper; to the staff at the Ronnie Green Heart Center at NE GA Medical Center; and to Dr Antonio Rios and his very caring staff at the NE Georgia Physicians Group in Gainesville.

Joyce was of the Methodist faith. Born Feb 14, 1944 and raised in Marble, NC, Joyce graduated from Asheville High School in 1962, followed by secretarial school and employment in Atlanta. She met and married Paul Saine in 1969 and became a Dahlonega resident that year.  In 1970 the second love of her life entered the picture when her son Brantley Paul Saine was born.  Then began her most important period of employment as a home maker and full time Mom.  Once Brantley was properly house broken and able to fend for himself after school, Joyce worked at a series of jobs in and around Dahlonega until diabetes, blindness, and widowhood stole her ability to get around by herself.  However, Joyce refused to let blindness steal her spirit of independence.  She remained living in her home and continued her love of reading by signing up for books on tape.  She and Brantley hit the go-cart circuit and she soon became known as “Mom” to a lot of folks she met at the tracks.  Through sheer stubbornness and admirable courage, Joyce refused to give up and continued to live her life as fully as she could manage with help from family and friends.  Before she lost her sight Joyce was a whiz at cross-stitch and was very good with a sewing machine, resulting in several beautiful legacy pieces that will be treasured by the lucky ones who have them now. 

A funeral service is scheduled for Saturday, June 25 at 11 am, at the Dahlonega Funeral Home, 20 Gibson Rd, Dahlonega, GA 30533, PH 706-864-3683. This will be followed by burial at the Dahlonega Memorial Park Cemetery, 228 Turner Rd, Dahlonega.  Visitation is scheduled for Friday, June 24, from 2-4 PM and 6-9pm.  In lieu of flowers, Joyce left wishes that donations be made in her name to the TLC Animal Shelter, 1735 Red Oak Flats Rd, Dahlonega, GA 30533, or to a charity of your choice.

Arrangements by the professional staff of Dahlonega Funeral Home.