Joel Walker Goldsby III

Dr. Joel Walker Goldsby, III, was called home Wednesday, July 24, 2013, surrounded by his wife and family members, remembering and sharing their love for him. He was born August 27, 1927 in Mobile, Alabama, the son of the late Joel W. Goldsby, Jr. and Margaret Goodman Goldsby. A U.S. Navy veteran of World War II, he graduated from Spring Hill College, Mobile in 1950 with a Bachelor of Science and then received his Master of Science in 1951 and Doctor of Dental Medicine in 1955 from the University of Alabama. After five years in dental practice in Mobile, Dr. Goldsby returned to the University of Alabama School Of Dentistry in Birmingham to accept a faculty position and graduate training in oral pathology. In 1968 he left his Associate Professorship at the dental school to assume a public health post with the State of Alabama. He was appointed Director of Dental Public Health in Mobile County, a post in which he served for 14 years. He enjoyed singing and after high school and college glee clubs, he became a member of the U.S. Navy Bluejacket Choir while at the Great Lakes Training Center. Later he was a member of the Mobile Opera Association and the Birmingham Civic Opera Co. Dr. Goldsby was commissioned in the Army Dental Corps Reserves and served twenty-four years, retiring with the rank of Colonel. When he left employment with the State of Alabama he held memberships in the American Dental Association, Alabama Dental Association, Alabama Public Health Association, American Association of Public Health Dentists, International Association of Dental Research, Sigma Xi, Omicron Kappa Upsilon and Psi Omega dental fraternities. He became a resident of Western North Carolina in 1980 and spent twenty years in old house restoration and innkeeping with his wife. They were owners and operators of the Blue Boar Lodge in Robbinsville, restored and operated the Red House Bed and Breakfast in Brevard and restored and operated the Inn on Main Street in Weaverville. He was a member of the Brevard First United Methodist Church and sang in the choir and also the Transylvania Choral Society. He was currently a member of Skyland United Methodist Church. He leaves his devoted wife, Melba Perkins Goldsby; two daughters, Reid Miller and husband, William and Shannon Tucker, all of Alabama; two sons, Joel Vernon Goldsby of Florida and Winston Goldsby and wife, Karel, of Alabama; step-son, Gary Alan Griggs of Asheville and step-daughter, Renee Griggs Robinette and husband, Randy, of Swannanoa and twelve grandchildren, Ross, Winston, Patrick and Amanda Miller; Walker Franklin; Anna Tucker; Desarae and Dustin Goldsby; Jaclyn and Caleb Goldsby; and Travis and Cayla Robinette. Also surviving is a step-granddaughter, Samantha Brown and two step-great grandchildren, Tristan Murphy and Addison Brown; a sister-in-law, Lyn Perkins; nephew, David Perkins and wife Tricia; and two nieces Lisa Gillen, husband David and Susan Perkins. He also leaves a brother, James Boswell Goldsby; and his three sons, Richard, James Jr. and John Goldsby, all of Georgia. A celebration of life service will be held at 6:00 pm, Friday, August 9 at the Skyland United Methodist Church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Skyland United Methodist Church, 1984 Hendersonville Road, Asheville, NC 28803, the American Heart Association or to the American Lung Association. To all his friends and loved ones…..Roll Tide!!! Groce Funeral Home at Lake Julian is assisting the family.