Joe Lane Cox, 72, of Dawsonville, died March 9, 2012.

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.

Survivors include his wife of 53 years, Judy Cox of Dawsonville; daughters and sons-in-law, Jill Reeves, Joy Harben and Frankie Aviles, all of Dawsonville, Julie and Michael Self of 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, Deanna Mullinax, Judy and Lamar Roper, Sara Roper, Fran and Ralph Gravitt, all of Cumming, Anita and Andrew Bearden of Dawsonville; brothers and sisters-in-law, Douglas and Jane Cox, Greg and Kaye Cox, all of Dawsonville; mother-in-law, Edna "Gamps" Stephens of Dawsonville; brothers-in-law and sister-in-law, Mike and Mary Sosebee of Dawsonville, Kenneth Stephens of Dawsonville; various other relatives also survive.

Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. March 11 in the Bearden Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Kenny Williamson officiating. Private interment services were held in Dawsonville Memorial Gardens.

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

Bearden Funeral Home of Dawsonville was in charge of the arrangements.