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Rev., Dr. John Thomas Townsend, Jr, returned to his heavenly home on Tuesday October 27, 2015 at the valiant age of 86. John was born on February 1, 1929 in Clarksville, Tennessee to the late John Thomas Townsend Sr. and Margaret Broomfield-Townsend. John received his education from the Clarksville, Tennessee school system and later served his country in the United States Army. After an honorable discharge from the Army, he was employed by Chrysler Corporation of Indianapolis, Indiana. Upon relocating to Texas he was employed by Bland Construction Company of Austin, Texas for many years before his retirement. John was united in loving matrimony to Ruby Alvilda Lewis on January 12, 1953 in Austin, Tx. He was blessed with a loving family of three children: Jerry, Madeline and John III. He dedicated his children to God and encouraged them to always put God first and to follow His path as it was set before them. Rev., Dr. John T. Townsend, Jr. accepted Christ as his savior at an early age and professed most of his life as an audacious and faithful servant of God. He received his ministerial license April 16, 1963 and was ordained to pastor July 19, 1968. Rev. Townsend served as a Deacon, Sunday School Teacher and Associate Minister for 10 years at Nineteenth Street Baptist Church under the leadership of the late Rev. M.C. Arnold. Thereafter, he served as the Pastor of St. Love All Baptist Church in Granger, Texas for 2 years. He received his Bachelor’s, Master’s and Doctorate degrees in Theology from Guadalupe College in Seguin, Texas. He was an active member of the St. John Regular Baptist Association and served as the Spiritual Advisor for Mission I Senior Women and the Deaconess organizations. Though he has lovingly touched and intentionally blessed many lives with his words of wisdom and spiritual counsel, Pastor Townsend’s final leadership legacy remains where he spent most of his pastoral life at Peaceful St. James Baptist Church of Austin, Texas. He was a faithful and devoted Pastor for 44 years upon his retirement on July 14, 2013. Rev. Dr. John Thomas Townsend, Jr. was preceded in death by his parents John and Margaret Townsend, five of his siblings: Katie Townsend, Mary Deannie Cobb, Egretha Washington, Settle Townsend, Sr. and Leona Peck. He leaves to cherish his memory and legacy his sisters: Isoria (Booker) White of Nashville, Tennessee; Mayolta Mallory of Phoenix, Arizona; his brother Wayne (Debra) Townsend of Indianapolis, Indiana; three children: Jerry E. Townsend (Carol), Madeline J. Townsend-Lee, John T. Townsend, III (Keisha); four grand-children: Jearnal M. Williams, Jovannique E. Townsend, Evan I. Townsend, Jalen Jefferson and three great grand-children: Rodrick C. Williams, Jr., Jalaya M. Williams and Rakiah C. Williams; a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Tributes

Rev. John Thomas Townsend Jr.,D.Div

February 1, 1929 - October 27, 2015