Joan Charlotte Townsend

Joan Charlotte Dotson Townsend

Joan was born June 10, 1935, in Portola California and passed away August 28, 2025, in her home in Oroville CA. She moved to Oroville, California when she was in the third grade and graduated from Oroville High School in 1953.

She married and moved away for a few years, and then came back to Oroville with her three children and decided to return to school at Yuba College. While attending school she worked at a drive-in restaurant where they worked around her school schedule as well as working at the cannery.

While attending Yuba College she met her husband James H. Townsend and married him in 1959.

She earned her AA at Yuba College and went on to attend two years at Chico State University.

She sold Avon until she landed an entry level job at Oroville Hospital and quickly moved on to managing doctor's offices until a position opened at Oroville Family Health Center. She was clinic director/coordinator for Northern Sacramento Rural Health for 23 years.

She served on the California Health Advisory Board as an appointee of Governor Deukmejian and other state health boards advising legislators about the impact of state legislation on the local clinics and residents.

After her retirement from Northern Sacramento Rural Health, she went to work as Butte County Outpatient Clinic Manager of Butte County Public Health where she provided guidance and upgrades in billing for the betterment of Butte County residents.

After again, another retirement upon personal request she returned to public service as the Administrative Assistant to her son Butte County Supervisor Bill Connelly in 2005, which she held for four years until permanently retiring.

She served on many local service organization boards not limited to but including the Monday Club, the Butte County Historical Society, Oroville Republican Women's Federation, Oroville Sunrise Rotary, and the Butte County Fair Board.

Joan attended church with her family and friends for over 60 years and was very proud of her Christianity.

She was preceded in death by her parents Lora K. Wallis Dotson and Joseph Dotson and her only sibling Jack Dotson.

She is survived by her husband of 65 years, James H. Townsend and her four children William F. Connelly, Kathryn (Kim) Downer, Deborah (John) Riley, and James D. (Pamela) Townsend.

She was also very proud of her 11 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren and 6 great great-grandchildren.

Joan was a fun-loving person who never met a stranger and was always taking in children who needed a little help.

Viewing will be at Ramsey Funeral Home, Thursday, September 11th from 4-8 pm.

At the family's request please attend the Celebration of Life on September 13th at 11 am at the Oroville Church or the Nazarene.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Oroville Christian Church, Butte Home Health & Hospice, or Wounded Warrior Project.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Ramsey Funeral Home 530-534-3877