Wilma Jean Townsend's Obituary
Jean was born in Dallas, Texas, on August 16, 1940, and was called home to be with our Lord on May 4, 2021. She is preceded in death by her parents, William and Betty Gunnin, her husband Harley Townsend, and her great niece Amber McClure.
She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law Mike and Sheryl Townsend, sister and brother-in-law Barbara and Gordon Richardson, sister Linda Bohmer, grandchildren David, Rhiannon, and Austin Townsend, several cousins, nieces, nephews, many friends, and those that she considered family.
Jean grew up in Dallas and graduated from South Oak Cliff High School in 1958, where she met the love of her life, Harley Townsend. She was an Honor Society member, and a Jr. Deb drill team member her junior year. Harley and Jean married in 1959, and their only son, Michael Bryan, was born that same year on September 9. The family moved to Mesquite in 1962, and Jean was still a Mesquite resident at the time of her passing.
Jean worked at Principal Management Company for 41 years until her retirement. She was an active member of the Auxiliary of the Mesquite Elks Lodge for 42 years and served as the Sweetheart in the 1986-87 year. She was selected as an Honorary Life Member in 2007. Jean served as the Den Mother of her son, Mike’s, Cub Scout Troop, and was the first Director of the Mesquite Gold and White Falcons drill team.
Jean had a flare for style and a very vibrant personality. She loved Elvis Presley and saw him for the first time in concert when she celebrated her 30th birthday in Las Vegas with family and friends. There were many Elvis concerts that followed. Anyone who knows Jean, knows how much she loved visiting New Orleans, and she supported the Saints as well. There were many memorable trips to New Orleans throughout the years, and she was always happy to share the stories of those trips.
Jean will be greatly missed by those who know her and love her. The cherished memories of our time spent with her will live on forever in our hearts.
Services for Wilma will be 12:00 pm Wednesday May 12, 2021, at Memorial Chapel in Restland Funeral Home. Burial to follow at Restland Memorial Park. There will be a time of visitation Tuesday at 12:00 until 6:00 pm, family will greet friends and family starting at 3:00 pm Tuesday at the funeral home.
To view the livestream for this service please click the following link:
http://webcast.funeralvue.com/events/viewer/53853/hash:A643B18DA329647D
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