Jimmie J. Townsend

Jimmie J. Townsend, 91, of Marlin, Texas, passed away Tuesday, March 19, 2024 at her home, surrounded by her loving family.

Jimmie was born in Marlin, Texas on August 29, 1932. She was the fifth of Rosie and Gordon Brunson’s eight children. Upon graduating from Marlin High School, she went to Nursing School and obtained her LVN license. Her passion to help those in need led her to working at several medical facilities before settling into the Nursing Home Community, where she could serve past generations with care and compassion. At Elmwood Nursing, she decided to move into the Administrative side, and began taking courses at McLennan Community College to further her education, helping her to obtain a Regional Supervisor position with ARA Living Centers, overseeing 11 nursing homes all over Texas, even as far as Brownwood. ARA Living Centers believed she was such an asset to their company that when she initially tried to retire they begged her for 5 more years and gave her choice of branches to oversee, and she chose to work the remainder of her time at her favorite home, Golden Years in Marlin, Texas. She retired from there in 1993.

Jimmie met the love of her life, Wesley Lorance Townsend, of Smithville, Texas, at a local dance hall, and the two fell very quickly in love and married on December 23, 1956. They celebrated 64 years of marriage before his passing in February of 2021. They had two daughters, Suzann and Judy Townsend.

Jimmie was a lifelong member of the Remnant Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, introducing her husband to the faith, and instilling it in her children and grandchildren. She rarely missed a service and could be counted on to be there bright and early with a smile and a kind word for all. Jimmie spread the word of God and witnessed for him to any and every one she met. A true and faithful servant of God until the end. After their respective retirements, Wesley and Jimmie moved to Blue Springs, Missouri where they immersed themselves in the church and its community.

Jimmie was a very loving and devoted wife, mother, and grandmother, who will be dearly missed by everyone that knew her.

Jimmie is preceded in death by her husband, Wesley Townsend; her parents, Gordon Brunson and Rosie Chane Brunson; her siblings, Nellie, Lillie Mae, Georgia Mable, Buddy, Allen and Vinnie; and her grandchildren, Timothy Ray and Baby Thompson.

Jimmie is survived by her sister: Johnnie Hounsel; her children: Suzann Townsend Ray and husband Ron, Judy Townsend Brown and husband Jason; her grandchildren: Jamison Townsend, Zackery Erwin, Kylar Thompson, Jase Ray and wife Macie, Morgan Ray, Jentri Sneed and husband Bradley, Madison Polk and husband Chance; her great grandchildren: Lexi Townsend, Kindzi Erwin, Ty Erwin, Landri Elam, Ayden Kelly, Aden Polk, Addilyn Polk, Mabry Sneed, Ellie Ray, Eden Ray Brady Sneed, Annalyse Polk. As well as extended family including her beloved church family.

We would like to thank Baylor Scott and White Hospice for caring for her in her final days, and for all the support and care they provided her family.