blackvoicenews.com

Joan Masterson was dedicated to her job writing tickets when cars over parked in downtown Riverside. She passed away last week.

Masterson was born on March 24, 1935 to Walter and Alma Curry in Columbus, Ohio. Born Joan Crawford Curry, Joan was named after the film siren because their birthdays were one day apart. Joan was a popular socialite and a frequent beauty pageant contestant before graduating from East High in 1958. When she met a young airman named Clyde “Matt” Masterson, the two married and began a family in California.

They divorced after nearly 20 years of marriage.

Coming of age in the midst of the Civil Rights and Women’s Liberation Movements, Joan was a woman of her era. She seized the new American Dream by becoming the first one in her family to receive a college education when she received an Associates of Arts Degree from Riverside Community College in 1976 as a single mother and an Associate of Science Degree in 1982.

Providing for her three children was hard, but Joan persevered.

Joan worked as a Nurse’s Aide at Riverside General Hospital and later at Polytechnic High School as Campus Supervisor to help make ends meet. She was the first woman to ever hold that position at Poly. Students at the high school appreciated her tough-love approach so much they affectionately referred to her as “Mom.”

Joan’s love for people helped forge her legacy, leading her to break new ground again when she became one of the first women hired by Riverside Police Department as a Communi ty Service Counselor in 1978. Many Chiefs of Police came and went, but all knew and admired Joan’s dedication. She received the Kinkead Service Award from the department for 20 years of distinguished service upon retirement in 1999.

Joan had a strong sense of giving which was demonstrated in her church service while attending Faith Temple and later Wind in the Spirit. She was also a generous supporter of Trinity Broadcasting Network, Ever Increasing Faith Ministry and World Vision – raising two children in Africa.

Proceeding Joan’s death were her parents, Alma and Walter; her brothers Walter and Roy; and her former husband, Clyde Masterson.

Those remaining to uphold her beloved memory are her brother, Robert Curry and his daughter Donna of Columbus, Ohio; her children, Reno, Rene and Daniella Masterson; her grandchildren, Reno Jr. , Amy and Shaelynn; her great grandsons, Isaiah and Justice and a host of great friends and colleagues.

Joan’s Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 Am, Tuesday, February 16th at Tillman Mortuary Chapel located at 2874 Tenth Street in Riverside.