Joe Lane Cox

Joe Lane Cox, 72, of Dawsonville passed away Friday March 9, 2012 at Northeast Georgia Medical Center following a period of declining health.

Born July 1, 1939 to the late Wayne and Nellie Cox, he was a lifelong resident of Dawson County. Mr. Cox devoted his life to service of others and worked many years providing automobile inspections. He was elected Probate Judge of Dawson County in 1977 and served one term before being elected sole Commissioner of Dawson County where he served three terms beginning in 1982. Joe Lane worked as an administrative assistant in Lumpkin County until he was elected Mayor of Dawsonville, taking office in 2003. He was serving his third term at the time of his death. Mr. Cox was deeply convicted of his Christian faith. He possessed a forgiving nature and lived his life as an example to others. He was devoted to all the citizens of his community and especially to his wife, children, grandchildren, and great granddaughter.

Surviving are his wife of 53 years, Judy Cox, Dawsonville; daughters and sons in law, Jill Reeves, Dawsonville, Joy Harben and Frankie Aviles, Dawsonville, Julie and Michael Self, Dahlonega; grandchildren, Leslie Reeves, Travis Reeves, Adam Harben, Alana Harben, Dillon Self, Griffin Self; great granddaughter, Ava Harben; sisters and brothers in law, Joyce and Hugh Smith, Cumming, Deanna Mullinax, Cumming, Judy and Lamar Roper, Cumming, Sara Roper, Cumming, Fran and Ralph Gravitt, Cumming, Anita and Andrew Bearden, Dawsonville; brothers and sisters in law, Douglas and Jane Cox, Dawsonville, Greg and Kaye Cox, Dawsonville; mother in law, Edna "Gamps" Stephens, Dawsonville; brothers in law and sister in law, Mike and Mary Sosebee, Dawsonville, Kenneth Stephens, Dawsonville; and a number of other relatives.

Funeral services will be held Sunday March 11, 2012 at 11 o'clock at Bearden Funeral Home Chapel. Rev. Kenny Williamson will officiate. Private interment services will be held in Dawsonville Memorial Gardens.

The family will receive friends Saturday from 2 until 9 at the funeral home.

In keeping with Joe Lane's wishes, the family requests in lieu of flowers donations be made to the Dahlonega Church of God, 4 Happy Hollow Road, Dahlonega, GA 30533.

Condolences may be expressed at www.beardenfuneralhome.com.

Bearden Funeral Home, Dawsonville, GA.