Linda "Kaye" Dye

Linda Kaye Dye, 70, beloved mother, grandmother, daughter, sister, and friend, passed away Thursday, March 5, 2026 at Piedmont Hospital in Augusta, Georgia. Her daughter, Tiffany, and loving companion, Ricky, were by her side as she transitioned into eternity and was greeted by her son, Richard, who she dearly missed for almost 35 years.

Kaye leaves behind a legacy of love for her daughter, granddaughter, and extended family and friends. She loved her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and days before her death, she stated “I am at peace with whatever happens to me.”

Kaye started working at a very young age doing odd and end jobs to help her family thrive. Most notably, she worked in many establishments in Wrens including Dairy Queen, Glit, Inc., Hadden’s IGA, The Jet Store, and Ingles, where she finally retired. She said she “didn’t have to be on a schedule anymore and she could do what she wanted to do from now on”. She worked most of her life, whether it was working a job outside of the home to raising her children in a safe, loving environment. We did not always have the best of everything, but one thing we never lacked in was her love for us.

Kaye was a 1973 graduate of Wrens High School. After school, she married Richard Holton, Sr., the love of her life and they were blessed with two children, Tiffany and Richard. Her children were her pride and joy and she loved them dearly. In 1991, Richard passed away and she never truly recovered from the loss of her precious boy. She stayed dedicated to her son even after death and his grave site never went without flowers; she was always on the search for the perfect flower for every season. Don’t worry my sweet mama; I will always make sure Richard has a flower. Even after divorce, and another marriage and divorce by both, Kaye and Ricky found their way back to each other and she was able to share the rest of her life with who she always said was her ‘true soulmate’.

Kaye absolutely loved her one and only granddaughter, Taylor Bales. She was known as ‘Nanny’ and she loved buying special little things for Taylor and when Taylor was younger, she always gave Taylor a one-dollar bill that Taylor would collect and call her “Nanny Dollars”. Taylor was given her most prized possession, Ducky, by her Nanny on her first Easter and still treasures it today.

In February 2025, Kaye’s health began to decline and at that time, she required a pacemaker. She bounced back rather quickly and she was back to lunch and shopping trips with her family, cutting her grass and just normal everyday living. In December 2025, her health declined once again. Despite being very sick, she still had a fighting spirit and fought until the very end. We are sad and will miss her every day but we know she is with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Kaye’s hobbies included coin collecting, Wizard of Oz memorabilia, rose dishes, and shirt pins. Her favorite color was lavender and we are asking that if you able to attend the service, please wear something in lavender and/or wear a pin, especially butterflies, dragonflies, bees, and roses, in honor of her. As we honor Kaye, let us remember her sweet nature, kindness, laughter, and fighting spirit. She made a true, long-lasting impact on her family, friends, and community.

Kaye is survived by her daughter, Tiffany Holton Bales (Brian), granddaughter, Taylor Bales, loving companion, Richard “Ricky” Holton, extended family and friends. She is preceded in death by her son, Richard Holton, Jr., father, William E. “Dub” Dye, Jr., mother, Martha Jane Dye, brother, Steve Dye, and sister, Mary Jane Wilson.

We would like to thank the First Responders, 9-1-1 staff and the nurses and staff who cared for her on the 4th floor of Piedmont Heart and the 5th Floor ICU.

A memorial service honoring Kaye’s life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 14, 2026 with visitation one hour before and one hour after the service in the James Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Chris Williford officiating.