Josie Mae (Douglass) Shepherd

September 15, 1914 – June 9, 1982

Josie Mae Shepherd, 67, of Hemet, California, died Wednesday at a local hospital.

Born in Perry, Oklahoma, on Sept. 14, 1914, she was the daughter of Frank P. and Hazel B Nelson Douglass. Following her graduation from Perry high school in 1932, she continued her education at Oklahoma A. & M. college, Stillwater, where she was a member of the Kappa Alpha Theta sorority.

On June 16, 1934, she and Lester Oaks were married in Stillwater. They both continued their education while Lester was employed by the Heestand-Stewart Band School in Oklahoma City. Josie received her degree in fine arts in 1937. After their marriage Lester accepted a position as director of music at the Northeast high school in Oklahoma City.

The couple moved to Riverside, California, the summer of 1939, where they were blessed with a son. Lester passed away in 1961. Josie married William B. Shepherd on March 15, 1963.

Josie lived in California for 42 years and Hemet for the past 10 years.

She was a secretary for 20 years for Kennedy Pontiac of Riverside.

Survivors include her husband, William; son, Douglas E. Oaks; her mother, Hazel B. Douglass; an aunt; and two grandchildren.

Memorial services will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Miller-Jones Valley Mortuary, Hemet, California. Pastor Martin Wahl of St. John’s Lutheran Church will officiate. Burial will be private.