Joseph M. Pinson, age 56, of Atlanta, GA died of complications from ALS/Lou Gehrig's disease, on February 26, 2010, in Blue Ridge, GA. Joe was born on September 7, 1953 in Augusta, GA the son of Rachel Longshore Pinson and George Pinson. The family moved to Atlanta in 1960 when Joe was 7 years old. He attended Morningside Elementary School and was a 1971 graduate of North Fulton High School. He was former President of Downs Safe and Lock Company and a member of Peachtree Presbyterian Church. He was preceded in death by his father, George Pinson. He is survived by his wife, Karen Mitchell Pinson; his children, George Taylor Pinson, his wife, Alex Bates Pinson, one grandchild, Charlee Sienna Pinson of West Hollywood, CA; Michael Mitchell Galardi of Atlanta, GA and Katherine Margaret Galardi of Atlanta, GA; his mother, Rachel Longshore Pinson; his brother, Calvin Pinson, and wife Valerie Pinson; his sister Lisa Pinson Pews and husband, Jamie Pews; his brother, Lou Courcelle and wife, Marty Courcelle, of Jackson, TN; and Karen's family; her mother, Margaret Mathews Mitchell of Atlanta, GA; Camille and Frank Wingate of Greenville, SC; Cameron and Gabi Mitchell of Greenville, SC; and Cathy and Tommy Fiebelkorn of Atlanta, GA. He is also survived by his nieces and nephews; Riley Pinson, Tracy Courcelle Hillis, Brian Courcelle, Kristin Fiebelkorn, David Fiebelkorn, Kevin Fiebelkorn, Caroline Wingate, Meredith Wingate, Nicole Mitchell, and Stephanie Mitchell. A memorial service will be held at Peachtree Presbyterian Church on 3434 Roswell Rd., NW, Atlanta, GA 30305 on Tuesday, March 2, 2010 at 1:00 p.m. with a visitation after the service in the Williams Center adjacent to the sanctuary. For those who wish, in lieu of flowers, gifts in his memory can be made to theALS ASSOCIATION-GEORGIA, INC., 1955 Cliff Valley Way, NE, Atlanta, GA 30329-2437; RIDGEVIEW ALUMNI, Ridgeview Institute, 3995 South Cobb Dr., Smyrna, GA 30080or to the PEACHTREE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH at 3434 Roswell Rd. NW, Atlanta, GA 30305. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.akinsfuneralhome.com. Akins Funeral Home of Blue Ridge, GA is in charge of the arrangements. .