Obituaries
 By  Staff Reports Published 
12:55 pm Monday, February 29, 2016

Eugene “Gene” Townsend

February 25, 2016

Eugene “Gene” Townsend, 82, departed this life Feb. 25 at Sanctuary Hospice, Tupelo, Miss. He was born March 27, 1933, to William Jefferson “Willie” and Flora Humphres Townsend in the Burnout Community, Vina, where he has lived the past 55 years. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army, serving in the Korean War, and a member of Burnout Missionary Baptist Church.

Services were Feb. 28 at 4 p.m. at Burnout Missionary Baptist Church, Vina, with Bro. Tim Harris officiating. Burial was in Burnout Cemetery, Vina.

Survivors are his wife of 64 years – Geneva Wilson Townsend, Burnout Community, Vina; one son – Alan Townsend and his wife, Carole Spearman Townsend, Vernon; two grandsons – William Burke “Will”  Townsend and Alan Collier Townsend, both of Vernon; a brother – Raymond Townsend and wife Margie of Brook Park, Ohio; three sisters – Nell Hall, Russellville, Evangeline Hughes, Phil Campbell, and Margaret Fikes, Fulton, Miss.; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a 10-month old twin sister, Eutrene Townsend, a brother, Everett Townsend, and a sister, Opal Klatt.

Pallbearers were Richard Townsend, Tommy Townsend, Gary Williams, Terry Humphres, Donald Gober and Danny Shewbart.

The family wishes to thank everyone for their support during Eugene’s sickness, death and their loss. Thanks to the Red Bay Hospital Emergency Room, ECM Hospital, doctors and staff for their kindness, Sanctuary Hospice, Tupelo, Miss., for their loving kindness and care for Eugene and Deaton Funeral Home for their services.

Visitation was Feb. 28, 2-4 p.m. at Burnout Missionary Baptist Church.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Burnout Missionary Baptist Church.

Also on Franklin County Times
Kiwanis Club returns; Key Club planned
Main, News, Russellville, ...
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
April 1, 2026
RUSSELLVILLE — The Kiwanis Club has returned to Russellville. Members gathered last week at Calvary Baptist Church to review bylaws, elect officers an...
Bridge work moves forward on SR 243
Main, News, Russellville, ...
By Addi Broadfoot For the FCT 
April 1, 2026
RUSSELLVILLE — Construction of a new bridge over Cedar Creek on SR 243 is moving forward as crews recently completed a major step in the project. Last...
Neighbors steps down as chairman of Democrats
News, Russellville
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
April 1, 2026
RUSSELLVILLE — Rick Neighbors has stepped down as chair of the Franklin County Democratic Executive Committee, citing personal commitments he said no ...
Kiel named a 2026 ‘Emerging Leader’
News, Russellville
By Addi Broadfoot For the FCT 
April 1, 2026
RUSSELLVILLE — District 18 State Rep. Jamie Kiel has been named to the 2026 class of Emerging Leaders by GOPAC, a national group which works to train ...
NIL era has become a complete disaster
Columnists, Opinion
April 1, 2026
The modern NIL era is a complete disaster. Players walk away from contracts just to chase a new shiny opportunity. Coaches are left begging their alum...
Ex-educators learn about crime prevention from guest speaker
Columnists, Franklin County, News
HERE AND NOW
April 1, 2026
Members of the Franklin County Retired Educators Association learned about crime prevention during their recent monthly meeting. Association members w...
K-9 Mia gets helmet for protection
News
Kevin Taylor For the FCT 
April 1, 2026
ROGERSVILLE — When Police Lt. Lucas Stansell and his K-9 Mija are called into action to track a person through the woods, or to go into a home to exec...
Biblical roles create big sandals to fill
News
Chelsea Retherford Staff Writer 
April 1, 2026
Onstage, they are adversaries — one a reluctant liberator, the other a ruler clinging to power. But offstage, McKinley Copeland and Zach Adams share s...

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *