A SELFLESS ‘saint’ of the Dursley community has died at the age of 98.

A former primary school teacher, Joan Kingham MBE has been described as ‘a saint of Dursley’ for her work helping its residents.

In 2011 she was awarded an MBE by the Queen for services to the community in Dursley.

She was also an active part of the Dursley Tabernacle church, where a chapel was dedicated to her last year.

Church minister the Rev Simon Helme said: “We give thanks to God for a life wonderfully lived in the service of others.

“Through her career as a teacher and her long service as a church elder she dedicated herself to a life of selflessness, work and witness.

“This was recognized when she received the MBE from the Queen and again in 2013 when she was interviewed about her life and faith for the BBC’s Songs of Praise.

“She never married but the people of Dursley were her family. To most people she was simply 'Aunty Joan' or 'Kingy'.

“Dursley will mourn the loss of one of its saints. But she is now finally at peace with her Lord.”

There will be a service of committal for Joan Kingham at Westerleigh Crematorium Waterside Chapel at 1.15pm on Tuesday December, 19.

A memorial service giving thanks for her life and service will take place at Dursley Tabernacle Church on Saturday, January 13 at 12pm.

For more, see Thursday’s Gazette.