James W. Townsend Jr.

James W. "Plumber" Townsend, Jr.
age 71, 1108 Burgie St., Elizabethton passed away and went to be with his wife and his Lord Sunday, October 25, 2009 from Ivy Hall Nursing Home. He was a native of Carter County, born to the late James W. Townsend, Sr. and Ethel Rogers Townsend. Mr. Townsend was a former plumber and retired from the Elizabethton City School System. He was an avid Elizabethton Cyclones fan. He was a 4th Degree member of the Knights of Columbus. In addition to his parents, Mr. Townsend was preceded in death by his wife of forty-five years: Kathleen Mary Maher Townsend, one brother: Roger Townsend and one sister: Doris McNitt. Survivors include his daughter: Donna Townsend of the home, his son and daughter-in-law: Jimmy and Lisa Townsend, Elizabethton, mother-in-law: Lillian Gerty Maher, Lincoln Park, NJ, brother and sister-in-law: William and Judy Townsend, Bellville, IL, one sister and brother-in-law: Katherine and Hank Stone, Magazine, AR, three sisters-in-law and their husbands: Lillian Rooney, St. Augustine, FL, Sharon and Robert Schultz, Manchester, NJ, Mary Ellen and Richard Behnke, Lincoln Park, NJ, two brothers-in-law and their wives: John and Patricia Maher, Boca Raton, FL and Frank and Sue Maher, Dunnelon, FL. Several nieces and nephews also survive. The funeral mass for Mr. Townsend will be conducted at 10 a.m. Thursday, October 29th at the St. Elizabeth Catholic Church, Elizabethton with Father Dennis Kress officiating. Interment will follow in the Happy Valley Memorial Park. Military honors will be accorded by the American Legion Post No. 49. Active pallbearers will be selected from family and friends. Honorary pallbearers will be Albert Lyons, Lloyd Potter, Tony Hyder, Ted Hamilton, David Oaks and Jim Gouge. The family will receive friends from 6 until 8 p.m. Wednesday, October 28th at the Tetrick Funeral Home. Following the visitation, a rosary service will be held at 8 p.m. Friends may also call at the residence at other times.

Christopher Laws
Christopher Scott Laws, 41, of Newland, passed away unexpectedly Sunday, September 6, 2009.He was born February 21, 1968 in Sherman, Texas, a son of Hall and Frances Townsend Laws. He graduated from Mayland Community College with an Associates Degree in Industrial Maintenance. He was employed in the maintenance department with the Avery County Public School System. Chris was a member and Ordained Deacon at Crossnore Baptist Church. He was very active with the youth and loved being around the kids. He was known for his picking and having a huge heart. He enjoyed riding his motorcycle.Chris’ memory will be treasured by his parents, Hall and Frances Laws of Heaton; daughters, Ciara and Carrie Laws of Newland; brothers, Keith Laws, and his wife, Kim, of Crossnore, Michael Laws, and his wife, Pam, of Nebo; sister, Angela Greene, and her husband, Gary, Jr., of Elk Park; Aunts, Brenda Marsh, and her husband, Keith, of Mount Carmel, TN, Judy Cornell of Newland, Susie Davis, and her husband, Rick, of Huntersville, NC, Sarah Collins, and her husband, Al, of New Bern, NC; uncle, Charlie Laws, and his wife, Irene, of Haslet, TX; ten nieces and nephews; a host of extended family and friends.Services to celebrate the life of Christopher Scott Laws will be held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, September 9, 2009 at the Crossnore First Baptist Church. Revs. Lander Heafner and Chris Rathbone will officiate. Interment will follow in the Heaton Cemetery. Serving as Pallbearers will be: Ronnie Woodie, Randall Aldridge, Hardrock Stamey, Randy Banner, Billy Ruppard, Jim Shoupe, Josh Shoupe, and Mike Trice. Honorary pallbearers will be the members of Chris’ Sunday School Class.The family will receive friends Tuesday evening at the funeral home from 5:00-8:00 pm.Flowers are appreciated or memorials may be made to the family for an Education Fund for Chris’ daughters.

Mr. Jack Monroe Coffey (January 04, 1933 - August 16, 2009)


Mr. Jack Monroe Coffey, age 76, of Sampson Road, Boone, died Sunday afternoon (August 16, 2009) at Watauga Medical Center. He was born January 4, 1933, in Watauga County to Will Monroe and Bessie Townsend Coffey. Surviving are: four sons: Junior Coffey and wife Irene, Gary Coffey and wife Jeannie and Kenneth Coffey all of Boone, and Larry Coffey and wife Glenda of Bethel; five granddaughters: Crystal, Nichole, Mary Elizabeth, Sarah and Brook Coffey; three great-grandchildren: Hannah Marie, Jacob Sion and Alexis; by one sister, Cora Lee and one brother, AB Coffey and wife Mary of Boone. He was preceded in death his wife, Rachel Pennell Coffey, his parents, Monroe and Bessie Coffey, by three sisters: Lula Church, Ruth Coffey and Nancy Coffey and by three brothers, John, Joe and Tom Coffey. Funeral services for Mr. Jack Monroe Coffey will be conducted Wednesday, August 19, 2009, at 10:00 AM in the Austin & Barnes Funeral Chapel. Burial will follow in the White Springs Cemetery.

Family Reunion 2009

We just had another successful reunion. Approximately 20 members of the Townsend Family of Watauga attended. After a wonderful covered dish lunch we visited with each other and held a family meeting. It was decided that future Reunions would be held on a Sunday in the later part of July. This will allow family members to attend services at the Holy Communion Lutheran Church prior to the lunch. For those of you that came I thank you, for those that couldn't make it we missed having you and hope that you will be able to attend in the future.

The Annual Townsend Family Reunion will be held on 25 July 2009 at the Morgan Retreat Center across from the Holy Communion Lutheran Church on Clarks Creek Road. It will be a covered dish lunch event. Please attend if possible.

Vernon E. Townsend
(April 1, 1942 - May 21, 2009)


Mr. Vernon E. Townsend, age 67, of 9860 Highway 88 East, Laurel Springs, died Thursday morning, May 21, 2009, at Ashe Memorial Hospital.
Mr. Townsend was born April 1, 1942 in Avery County, a son of the late Joe Sidney Townsend and Geneva Teaster Townsend. He was a retired truck driver and a partner in Townsend Logging.

Mr. Townsend is survived by six sisters, Celia Norwood of Hendersonville, Lucy Sword and Mildred Ramsey and husband Fred, all of Banner Elk, Barbara Ann Ward and husband Cecil, Deep Gap, Ethel Norwood and husband Junior of Newland, and Mary Townsend and husband Junior of Piney Creek; two brothers, Floyd Townsend and wife Edna Earl of Banner Elk, and Jimmy Townsend and wife Ruby of Laurel Springs, and three sisters-in-law, Margaret Townsend of Banner Elk, Earlene Brown of Boone, and Ruth Townsend of Laurel Springs. He is also survived by a number of nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by three brothers, Buster Lewis Townsend, Kenneth Marvin Townsend, and Dayton Junior Townsend, and two brothers-in-law, J.B. Norwood, and Jim Sword.

Funeral services for Mr. Vernon E. Townsend will be conducted Sunday afternoon, May 24, 2009, at 2:00 o'clock, at Banner Elk Seventh Day Adventist Church. The body will lie in state, at the church, from 1:00 until 2:00 o'clock. Officiating will be Pastor Charles Hindman. Burial will follow in the Townsend Family Cemetery.

The body will be taken to the residence, Friday, May 22, 2009, at 4:00 o'clock, where friends may visit at any time.

Flowers are appreciated, or memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, Western Carolina Chapter, 3800 Shamrock Drive, Charlotte, North Carolina, 28215-3220.

Online condolences may be sent to the Townsend family at www.hamptonfuneralservice.com.

Hampton Funeral and Cremation Service is in charge of the arrangements.

Mrs. Louise Townsend, age 83, of Townsend Road, Hickory, died Saturday morning, May 9, 2009 at Carolina Rehab in Icard. Born February 4, 1926 in Watauga County, she was a daughter of the late Jason and Essie Townsend. Mrs. Townsend was a homemaker and a member of Holy Communion Lutheran Church. Surviving are; two sons; Ray Townsend and wife Tammy and Jerry Townsend and wife Judy all of Hickory, two grandsons; Josh and Cody Townsend of Hickory, one sister; Rosa Greene and husband Vernon of Lenoir, and three brothers; Earl Townsend and wife Betty and Grady Townsend and wife Hazel of Lenoir, and Chester Townsend and wife Virleen of Hickory, and a number of nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband Ulas M. Townsend, one brother; Claude Townsend, three sisters; Gracie T. Mitchell, Cora, Macey, and Texie Townsend. Funeral services for Mrs. Louise Townsend will be conducted Monday afternoon at 2 o'clock at Holy Communion Lutheran Church, officiating will be Rev. Dr. Larry Campbell. The body will lie in state at the church from 1 until 2 o'clock. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to WELCA of Holy Communion Lutheran Church, in care of J. B. Townsend, 1159-1 Bamboo Road, Boone, NC 28607. The family will receive friends Sunday evening from 6 o'clock until 7:30 at Austin & Barnes Funeral Home. Online condolences may be sent to the Townsend family at austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com. Austin & Barnes Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the Townsend family.

Townsend Mile Stones

Join me in congradulating Dorthy Bently Townsend for reaching 100 years old. The family will help her celebrate at Life Care of Banner Elk on Friday 8 May at 2:30 PM.
Also, today, Robert Townsend is celebrating his 85th birthday. Robert is a retired Police Officer from Boone, NC. I wish them both well, much health and may they have many, many more birthdays to celebrate.

Obituary: Finley Jerome Townsend Jr.
Finley Jerome Townsend Jr.June 04, 1931 - April 15, 2009Finley Jerome Townsend, Jr.77, passed away on April 15, 2009 in Kirkland, Washington. He was born on June 4, 1931 in Banner Elk, North Carolina.Viewing will be held on Friday, April 24th from 10:00 AM - 8:00PM and April 25th from 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM at Evergreen Washelli Funeral Home.Graveside service will be held on Saturday, April 25th at 3:00 PM at Washelli Cemetery. Reception following. Funeral InformationViewing will be held on Friday, April 24th from 10:00 AM - 8:00PM and April 25th from 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM at Evergreen Washelli Funeral Home.Graveside service will be held on Saturday, April 25th at 3:00 PM at Washelli Cemetery. Reception following.

Richard S. Townsend
Died Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Nov 27, 2008

Richard Shane Townsend, 17, of 11 Riddle Court, Axton, died Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2008, at Fort Sanders Sevier Medical Center, Sevierville, Tenn.

Norris Funeral Services and Crematory is in charge of arrangements.

Nov 30, 2008

Richard Shane Townsend, 17, of 11 Riddle Court, Martinsville, died Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2008 at Fort Sanders Sevier Medical Center, Sevierville, Tenn.

He was born August 13, 1991, in Martinsville to Richard James Townsend and Hope Canupp Townsend.

He had attended Martinsville High School and had been on the school wrestling team. He was of the Christian faith and attended Stone Memorial Christian Church.

He was an organ donor through the University of Tennessee tissue bank.

In addition to his parents of the home, surviving are a brother, Eric Christopher Townsend of Stoneville, N.C.; maternal grandparents, Frank and Helen Canupp of Martinsville; paternal grandparents, James and Alma Townsend of Martinsville; and paternal great0grandmother, Mary Johnson of Elizabethton, Tenn.

A memorial service will be held at 6 p.m. Monday at Norris Funeral Services Chapel with Minister Tim Wood officiating.

The family will receive friends from 4 until 6 p.m. Monday at the funeral home and at other times at the home.

Richard J. Townsend
Died Friday, March 6, 2009
Mar 9, 2009

Richard James Townsend, 49, of Martinsville, died Friday, March 6, 2009, at his home.

He was born on Oct. 12, 1959, in Elizabethton, Tenn., to James Townsend and Alma Clawson Townsend.

He was preceded in death by a son, Richard Shane Townsend.

He served as a Marine and was a member of Stone Memorial Christian Church.

Surviving in addition to his parents, of Martinsville, are his wife, Hope Canupp Townsend of the home; a son, Eric Christopher Townsend of Martinsville; a sister, Mary Jane McKinney of Elizabethton; two brothers, Guy Townsend of Hurdle Mills, N.C. and Charles Townsend of Virginia Beach; a maternal grandmother, Mary Johnson of Elizabethton; and two grandchildren.

A memorial service will be at 6 p.m. Tuesday at Norris Funeral Services chapel with Ministers Tim Wood and Lawrence Harris officiating.

The family will receive friends from 4 to 6 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home and other times at the home, 11 Riddle Court, Martinsville.

Memorials may be made to the American Lung Association, 9221 Forest Hill Ave., Richmond, Va. 23235.

Blanche Townsend

Blanche M. Townsend, age 95, of Banner Elk passed away on Tuesday April 7, 2009 at Life Care Center.


A native of Avery County, she was the daughter of the late Balem and Mattie Ruppard Shook.


Blanche was a member of White Rock Baptist Church.


She enjoyed listening to gospel music, sewing and gardening.


Along with her parents, she was preceded in death by; her husband, Carl Townsend; daughter-in-law, Mary Helen Townsend; and her son-in-law, Kenneth Townsend.


Left to carry on her memory are; her two sons, David Townsend and wife Mary Ruth of Foscoe and Paul Townsend of Banner Elk; and her daughter, Ruth Townsend of Laurel Springs. Four grandchildren and three great grandchildren also survive.


The Townsend family will receive friends on Thursday April 9th from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held on Friday April 10th at 11:00 a.m. in the Grandfather Chapel of Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home. Rev. Gary Greene will officiate. Interment will follow in the Matney Cemetery.


Words of comfort and memories may be shared with the family and viewed at www.rsfh.net.


Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home of Newland is serving the Townsend family.

Dick Townsend
Mr. Dick Townsend, 89 of Granite Falls, passed away Tuesday, March 31, 2009, at his residence.
He was born Oct. 26, 1919 in Watauga County, to the late Aaron T. Townsend and Myra Adeline Berry.
Mr. Townsend was a member of Harris Chapel Baptist Church.
Survivors include his wife, Bina Eggers Townsend; daughters, Reba Helms of Granite Falls, and Martha Annas and husband, Jerry, of Granite Falls; seven grandchildren, Melissa Phillips and husband, Eldridge, Susan Wilson and husband, Gwyn, Stephanie Tramble and husband, Andy, Kim Bumgarner and husband, Warren, Tammy Townsend, Jamye Wilson and husband, Adam, and Steven Annas; nine great-grandchildren; and daughter-in-law, Charlene Townsend.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a son, Jack Townsend; six brothers; four sisters; and son-in-law, Gordon Helms.
A graveside service will be held on Friday, April 3, 2009, 11:00 a.m. at the Sunrise Baptist Church with the Rev. Edd Warren officiating. The family received friends on Thursday, April 2, 2009, at Bass-Smith Granite from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Burial will be in the Sunrise Baptist Church Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to Caldwell Hospice and Palliative Care, 902 Kirkwood St., Lenoir, N.C. 28645 or to the St. Jude’s Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, Tenn. 38105.
Bass-Smith Granite is serving the Townsend family.

Charles Mack TownsendObituary
Mr. Charles Mack Townsend, 84, of Banner Elk, the Dutch Creek Community, died Saturday morning, March 14, 2009 at home.
He was born in Watauga County, Oct. 31, 1924, a son of the late Isaac Enzer and Clemmie Byrd Townsend.
Mr. Townsend was a retired carpenter and farmer and was a member of Clarks Creek Baptist Church.
Surviving are one daughter; Wanda Cline and husband, George; two sons, Charles Edward Townsend and wife, Lorene, and Larry Dale Townsend, all of the Dutch Creek Community; one sister, Beulah Gregory of Angier, N.C.; three brothers, Robert “Bob” Townsend of Vilas, Johnny Townsend of Foscoe and Bill Townsend and wife, Rachel, of Valle Crucis; one sister-in-law, Gertrude Isaacs of Banner Elk; one brother-in-law, Truett Coffey and wife, Joyce, of Mountain City; 12 grandchildren, Charlie and Travis Townsend, Marie and Chad Cole, Amy Cline, Scott and Jessie Townsend, Mitchell and Alicia Townsend, Shannon and Alania Townsend, and Rose Marie Hillard; and three great-grandchildren, Mack Able Townsend, Lye Rose Townsend and Abbey Cole; and a number of nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Reba Coffey Townsend; one sister; and six brothers.
Services will be conducted Monday afternoon at 2 o’clock at Clarks Creek Baptist Church, with the Rev. Bill Warren and the Rev. Mike Townsend officiating. Burial will follow in the Clarks Creek Baptist Church Cemetery. The body will lie in state at the church from 1 until 2 o’clock.
The family received friends Sunday evening from 7 o’clock until 8:30 at Austin & Barnes Funeral Home.
Online condolences may be sent to the Townsend family at austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com.
Austin & Barnes Funeral Home & Crematory is serving the Townsend family.

Townsend's of Watauga

The Townsend Family of Watauga area of North Carolina have been living in the Clark's Creek, Dutch Creek and Banner Elk areas since the late 1830's. Not much has been mentioned in local history about the family but the development of the communities, churches and schools would not have been so successful without their involvement. The first mill in the Valle Crucis area was built by Andrew Jackson Townsend. The first Seven Day Advent Church was founded by Larkin Townsend and neighbors. He donated the land for the first church to be built on Dutch Creek. Without the labor of many of the Townsend's the Mission School, Highway 194 and the Linville/Boone Railway may not have occurred. The family has branched out in the past 170 some years. Descendants of the original settlers now live all over the US and some in foreign countries. From the Civil war to todays war on terrorism the Townsend Family have served proudly and in some instances given their lives for the freedom we now hold so dear.