Joyce Perrine

1920 - 2015

Joyce Luning Mathis Perrine


August 6, 1920 - March 23, 2015


Lifelong resident of Red Bluff and member of pioneer family passes away.

Joyce Luning Mathis Perrine passed away March 23, 2015.
Born August 6, 1920 to Joseph F. and Dale Wheeler Luning in Sister's Hospital in Red Bluff, her pioneer roots stem from her Great Grandfather Joseph Luning who originally came to Red Bluff in 1852.

Her Grandfather, William F. Luning, was one of the first children born in Red Bluff and was the long time surveyor, Tehama County Engineer and Red Bluff City Engineer. Her mother passed away when she was ten and her father spent most of his years in Veterans' Hospitals recovering from injuries received during World War I. She was raised by her maternal grandmother, Josie Wheeler.

She was graduated from Red Bluff Union High School in 1937 with high scholastic honors and immediately went to work at Hersey insurance in the old Tremont Hotel on Main Street. She worked 50 years in Red Bluff businesses including, Elsie Juhay Insurance and Minch's Wholesale Meats. In 1988 she retired from California State Automobile Association as one of their top sales representatives in Northern California.

Joyce enjoyed sports and was a member of the first women's softball team in Red Bluff. She taught badminton for the Red Bluff Recreation Department for 20 years to everyone that showed up at the high school gym. She loved to play tennis for an intercity league and was a charter member of the Valley Oaks Racquet Club. She volunteered to keep the books for the Wilcox Oaks Golf Club when they first set up their office.

In her spare time she enjoyed various craft projects that she gave to her friends. She was a member of Soroptimist International of Red Bluff, a former Business and Professional Woman, a lifelong member of the Red Bluff First Methodist Church and was one of the founders of the Mount Lassen Church Camp near Mineral.

Joyce was preceded in death by her first husband, Harris Mathis, originally from Arkansas, in 1975. Her grandson Martin was killed in a car accident in Madrid, Spain while on active duty with the Air Force. Her second husband, Jack Perrine died in 1999. Her only sister, Arlys Luning McDowell of Grass Valley died in 2011.

She is survived by her daughter Dawn Mathis Wichael of Redding, sons Gary Mathis of Rogue River, Oregon, Jon Mathis and wife Janyce Dittner Mathis of Red Bluff. She leaves a behind a legacy of 9 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren.

Graveside services are to be held at Oak Hill Cemetery in Red Bluff on March 30, 2014 at 11:00 am, with a reception following at the home of Jon Mathis, 1545 Carl Court in Red Bluff.

Please sign the guestbook at http://obits.redding.com