Vernine Catherine Matthews was born in Hanford, California, on May 22, 1931, to Russell Vernon Hill and Anne Beth Belle Blaylock. She died at age 90 on September 24, 2021, in Fresno, California, where she was a resident.
Raised in Long Beach, California, by Anne and husband Lamar Sheward, she went by the name Joanne. In high school she began using her given name, Vernine Hill.
She met her soon-to-be husband while they were students at Long Beach City College. They married on September 20, 1951, and recently reached the milestone of a 70-year marriage.
She is preceded in death by parents Russell and Anne, stepfather Lamar, half-sister Darlene, and daughter Karen. She is survived by her husband James, as well as her son Brad and daughter-in-law Peggy. She also leaves behind these relatives she adored: half-sisters Carma Morford and Jane Gibson, half-brother Edward Hill, and step-brother Donald Tayloe. She also leaves behind three “darling” grandchildren, Megan Arnold, Sister Porphyria (Julia Matthews), and Kevin Matthews.
A Graveside Service for Vernine will be held Monday, October 11, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. at Fresno Memorial Gardens, 175 South Cornelia Avenue, Fresno, California 93706.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.boicefuneralhome.com for the Matthews family.
