Virgin Dyer Doyle

VIRGIN DYER DOYLE, age 103, of Dahlonega, GA died Saturday, January 5th, 2013, at her home in Dahlonega.

She was a native of Lumpkin County and was born on March 5th, 1909, and the daughter of William Joseph and Mary Jane Jarrard Dyer.

She received a BA degree from North GA Agricultural College (now known as North GA College and State University) in Dahlonega in 1929, and also received special training in New York at the Interior design Decorating School.

Mrs. Doyle worked as an engineering draftswoman at the Charleston Navy Yard during World War II, and operated antique shops in Charleston, South Carolina, Buckhead, and Dahlonega, Georgia. She was a certified antique appraiser.

She taught school in Honolulu, Hawaii; Jacksonville, Florida; Pacolet Mills, South Carolina; and several locations in Georgia, including New Holland and Smyrna. Mrs. Doyle retired after 24 years of service. She was a member of the Lumpkin County Retired Educators Association.

Her first marriage to Garland Burgess, a Chief Petty Officer in the U.S. Navy, ended in divorce in 1947. She later married Leo A. Doyle, an Atlanta banker. Mr. Doyle died in 1966 and Mrs. Doyle remained in Atlanta until 1990 when she moved back to Dahlonega.

"Vee," as she was lovingly called, served as President of the Dahlonega Club when the North Georgia College steeple was gilded with native gold. She restored a building on Rainbow Row in Charleston, South Carolina as well as the Jenkins homestead near the Rock House in Dahlonega. She gave a generous donation to the St. Joseph's Hospital in Dahlonega to furnish room 323 in honor of her parents, brothers, and sisters. Mrs. Doyle was chosen as Gold Rush Queen in 1998, an honor she highly cherished. She was a member of Dahlonega Baptist Church.

Vee was preceded in death by her sister, Glanca Dyer McKendree; her brothers COL (USA, Ret.) William B. Dyer, and LTC (USA, Ret.) Joseph A. Dyer. She is survived by her stepson, George L. Doyle of Mercer Island, Washington, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank some "earth angels" who loved Vee dearly and gave her such loving care in her declining days. She was cared for at home 24 hours a day by Dianne Adams, Dustin McKendree, Debbie McKendree, and Angie Adams. The family would be remiss if they didn't mention Gean Draper who called her daily when she was alone, and provided her many delicious meals. May God bless these wonderful people.

Banister Funeral Home in Dahlonega is in charge of the arrangements.

Services will be held at the Dahlonega Baptist Church on Wednesday, January 9th at 2:00 PM.

Interment will follow in Mt. Sinai Baptist Church Cemetery in Lumpkin County.

The family will receive friends at Dahlonega Baptist Church 0ne hour prior to the service.

Online condolences may be made at www.banisterfuneralhome.net