Thomas Edward Townsend

Thomas Edward Townsend, age 65, passed alway peacefully on October 6, 1958. He was born June 14, 1958, in Pine Bluff, Arkansas to Melvin E. Townsend and S Bea Townsend. He was the youngest sibling of six children, two brothers, and three sisters.

He attended Little Rock Central High School in Arkansas during the 1970’s and proceeded to work a variety of jobs since enlisting and serving in the United States Army for two full terms lasting from 1978 to1984. Many of his favorite memories involved his history of serving in the US military and his greatest adventures were usually centered around his travels across the nation and world as a by-product of his time serving in the Armed Forces; including , but not limited to Flint, Michigan, Little Rock, Arkansas, Houston, Texas, Beirut, Lebanon, Panama, Germany, and more which all has encompassed a part of his life experiences passionately felt and often shared by Thomas with anyone who was blessed to listen.

Thomas was an incredible speaker, teacher, leader, friend, and father figure to both the children he created and optimally poured into over the years. He loved spending quality time with those he loved, watching a variety of movies, TV shows, playing chess, various board games, and even sporadic road trips across the state lines throughout Texas, Arkansas, Michigan, Missouri, etc . He enjoyed good fun with his family, music (especially of the 70’s/80’s), corny dad jokes, and extreme laughter. One of his major dreams was to invest in a family-sizes RV so he could spend time with his family while touring the entire country.

Thomas had a gift of patience, provision, and imparted a great amount of peace to others due to his calm nature. It was evident that he held a strong passion for God which showed through his numerous acts of service to those who he knew as well as strangers he came across in his life. His compassion for souls led him to usually speak godly words of affirmation to those who needed it the most; imparting an invaluable wealth of wisdom to his loved ones, and he was able to deposit so much knowledge through his personal life experiences, lessons, trials, and tribulations that will live on through the next generations.

He was married for 25+ years to his longtime friend and partner, Bonita Townsend dating back to July of 1995. To this union came 3 bonus children & 4 grandchildren; Erica Stevenson (Andrea, Ryan, Jaidyn, & Samuel), Anthony Stevenson, & Ashley Anderson; his, hers, and theirs, a true blended family.

He is preceded in death by his mother S Bea Townsend, father Melvin Townsend, brother; Gary Fonville Sr., uncle; Eddie Townsend, and aunts; Earselean White, Augusta Lee Carthon of St. Louis, MO & Berta Townsend of Pomona, CA

He is survived by several loved ones who will miss his presence dearly including his son & daughters, an array of children & grandchildren; Thomasina Townsend (Daevion, A’Zharrea, Braylon), Tenissa Deshel Townsend (Trevon), Siblings; Roger Edwards of Flint, MI, Jaquelyn Townsend of Tulsa, Ok, Patricia Townsend Joyner of Bryant, AR, and Shelia Cheatom of Flint, MI.
 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Thomas Edward Townsend, please visit our floral store.