Mrs. Mary L. Townsend

Mary Lee Townsend was born on May 1, 1938, the second child of seven born to Hezzie and Janie Powers of Meridian, MS. Her siblings are two brothers Eugene Powers, Frank Powers, one sister Margaret Page; and three brothers preceded her in death, Preston Powers, Willie James Powers, and Johnnie B. Powers. She was married to the late Ozie Lee Townsend who preceded her in death, and of that union four children were born. She is a lifelong resident of Meridian MS. Mary was born again in her early adult life. She was afaithful member of the Fifth Street Baptist Church under the leadership of the late Rev. I. C. Day, and later Bishop William C. Brown. She raised her four children to fear God and live life accirding to God's Word. Mary was a prayer warrior, and had a great love for worshipping and singing praises to God, and early on in her faith walk she sang with several "Quartets. " She expressed a call to lay ministry in her later years. She was faithful to that call to serve God. Possessing a true servant's heart, Mary served faithfully until her health declined on the usher board, choir, intercessory prayer team, teaching, nursing home and prison ministry. Minister Townsend went from death to life on February 7, 2015 at 1:45pm at Anderson's Hospital, after a long valiant battle with brain tumors. Her strong will to live, unwavering faith in God to do the impossible, the love and prayers of her family, friends and others, provided her strength to endure the horrendous effects of the disease to which she succumbed. Mary will be remembered as a loving sister, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, great-great grandmother, and friend. Survivors include her daughters, Rev. Dr. Bettie L. McCarty (Billie), Minister Dorothy A. Wright (Louis), Windy Hairston and one son Ozie Lee Townsend, Jr. (Letha); Eight grandchildren, thirty-three great-grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren, and a host of nieces and nephews. Minister Mary L. Townsend touched the lives of so many people, and above all that she was -she was a col child of God. Her legacy is her faith and service to God, and her love for her family and friends.

Mrs. Mary L. Townsend

May 1, 1938 - February 7, 2015