One of eleven children, Mrs. Townsend was born on June 16, 1920 in Forsyth County, NC to the late Willie Davis Dalton and Sarah Dare Doub Dalton. Mrs. Townsend graduated from Lewisville High School and Brevard College. She married Lewis M. Townsend on October 6, 1945 and together they had two daughters, Marcia Gillis (Tom) and Debra Webb (Bob).
Mrs. Townsend had four grandchildren, Marc Gillis (Laura) and Darin Gillis (Quantina) by way of Marcia, and Laura Webb (Shawn Lewis) and Alan Webb (Aden Van Noppen) by way of Debra; and five great-grandchildren, Heidi, Clare, and Morgan by way of Marc, and Kenzi and Kai by way of Darin. She is also survived by five siblings, Ida McHargue, Rosie Burton, Franklin Dalton, Eleanor Thompson, and Carol Deaton. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; daughter, Marcia Gillis; son-in-law, Tom Gillis; and siblings, Rev. George Dalton, Don Dalton, Worth Dalton, Monroe Dalton, and Robert Dalton.
Mrs. Townsend raised her family and worked in Charlotte running the Kindergarten program at Mulberry Presbyterian Church for approximately 20 years. She helped found and was a devoted member of Covenant United Methodist Church. She loved spending time with her family, especially on their mountain land in Pisgah Forest, NC.
A family viewing and graveside service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Covenant United Methodist Church or Brevard College.
