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
Gray named president of Red Bay, Helen Keller hospitals
Main, News, Red Bay
By Brady Petree For the FCT 
July 15, 2026
SHEFFIELD — Red Bay hospital will soon be under new leadership as Jeremy Gray, who has been hired as the new president of the Franklin County facility...
5 properties are designated nuisance
Main, News, Russellville, ...
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
July 15, 2026
RUSSELLVILLE — Five properties within the city have been designated public nuisances, and city workers soon will begin tearing down a burnedout partia...
Condemned downtown building to be demolished, replaced
Main, News, Russellville, ...
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
July 15, 2026
RUSSELLVILLE — The condemned building that used to house the Faith Mission Outreach will be demolished and a new structure rebuilt in its place. In an...
Jones says he’ll listen to Alabamians
Main, News
Bernie Delinski For the FCT 
July 15, 2026
SHEFFIELD — Democratic gubernatorial candidate Doug Jones shared a vision July 9 of an Alabama government who listens to its constituents and focuses ...
Stage being renovated for W.C. Handy Fest
News
By Ella Seaton For the FCT 
July 15, 2026
SHEFFIELD — Stage renovations at Riverfront Park face a fast-approaching completion deadline prior to the W.C. Handy Music Festival. With “Riverside J...
A $174M penalty families can’t afford
Columnists, News, Opinion
July 15, 2026
Recently, the federal government published “scores” that will determine how much each state will have to pay toward its SNAP program starting in 2027....
Friendships more precious as years pass
Columnists, Features, Lifestyles, ...
HERE AND NOW
July 15, 2026
Friends are wonderful gifts. Throughout different stages of life, friends serve as anchors, confidants and sources of strength. While many people come...
Sparks is youngest miracle worker yet
News
By Addi Broadfoots For the FCT 
July 15, 2026
For 65 years, audiences have watched the story of Helen Keller come to life on the outdoor stage behind Ivy Green in Tuscumbia. This summer, that trad...

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.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