Josephine Uribe Valles

REDDING- Josie passed away after a lengthy illness at the age of 84 in Redding on May 8, 2007. Josie was born April 19, 1923 in Ashland, Oregon, the first child of Catalina Lira and Leovigildo Uribe. Later, she lived in Siskiyou County and worked for Long Bell Lumber Company before enlisting in the Army during World War II.

She attended Fort Des Moines, Iowa, Motor Vehicles Operator's School and served in the U.S. Army as a truck driver and military police officer. She was honorably discharged in 1945 and married her childhood friend and sweetheart, Richard Valles. Josie and Richard arrived in Southern Humboldt County in 1950, ultimately settling in South Fork. Following the 1964 flood they moved to Weott. Josie was a homemaker early in her married life, spending some of her time volunteering as translator for Spanish speaking community members.

Eventually she began working as a cook at Tarantino's Restaurant in Miranda and then for several years before her retirement as the cook for the Department of Forestry in Weott where she kept many firefighters happy with her highly praised meals and cinnamon rolls. Josie and Richard lived in Fortuna after retirement and enjoyed traveling in their motor home and playing pool.

Josie participated in many crafts including sewing, ceramics and crocheting. Before moving to Redding in 2002, where she could be looked after more closely by family, Josie belonged to St. Joseph Parish in Fortuna, Carlotta Grange and Fortuna Tops #949. She was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary and a lifetime member of the American Legion.

Josie was preceded in death by her husband, parents, two sisters Margarita Uribe and Rachel Uribe, two brothers Federico Uribe and Salvador Uribe and granddaughter Nanete Valles. She is survived by her three sons, Richard and wife Kathy of Anderson, David and wife Gloria of Redding, and Gregory of Caspar. She is also survived by eight grandchildren, Rachele Pierce of Leakesville, Mississippi, Jennifer Valles Mazzuca of Campbell, Merl Valles of Manteca, Rik Valles of Cottonwood, Linda Valles of Chico, Melody Valles of Ukiah, Natasha Bosetti of Cottonwood and Jessica Valles of The Dalles, Oregon and 16 great-grandchildren. Additionally, she is survived by three brothers, Jess Uribe of Beebe, Arkansas, Carlos Uribe of Grants Pass, Oregon and Dan Uribe of Fortuna.

Funeral services will be conducted Saturday, May 12, 2007 at 6 p.m. at Allen and Dahl Funeral Chapel in Redding and a graveside service will be held Monday, May 14, 2007 at 11 a.m. at Mountain View Cemetery in Ashland, Oregon.

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