Dokie Nelson Guy Townsend, 82, 4897 Highway 321, Butler, formerly of Elizabethton, passed away Tuesday, June 3, 2014, at her residence.
A native of Carter County, she was a daughter of the late Alex and Clara Clemons Ward.
Mrs. Townsend was a homemaker. She was a member of Hopson Chapel Free Will Baptist Church but attended Little Mountain Baptist Church.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by three husbands, Homer Nelson, Charlie Guy and Dennis Townsend; her sisters, Louise Millsaps and Patsy Tester; and a brother, Herman Ward.
Survivors include a daughter, Ruby Faye Proffitt, of the home; a son, Homer Allen Nelson and his wife Faye Snowden Nelson, Elizabethton; three grandchildren, Johnny Nelson, Michael Guy and Amanda Graybeal; her great-grandchildren, Blake Scott Graybeal, David Colton Graybeal and McKala Radcliffe; a sister, Sally Hudson, Elizabethton; her brothers, Rev. Jack Ward, Chandler, N.C., and Ed Ward, Johnson City; several nieces and nephews; and her special friend, Ruby Whitehead.
Funeral services for Mrs. Townsend will be conducted at 8 p.m. Friday, June 6, at Memorial Funeral Chapel with the Rev. Jack Ward officiating. Music will be provided by Jeff Millsaps. Graveside services and interment will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, June 7, at Tri-Cities Memorial Gardens, Blountville. Active pallbearers, who are requested to assemble at the funeral home at 10:15 a.m. Saturday, will be Michael Guy, Johnny Nelson, Joe Tester, Leon Guy, Danny Ward and David Graybeal. The family would like to express a special “Thank You” to Dr. Sheryl Pack and staff, the staff of Mountain States Home Care and Mandy Ward, Latoya Perry and Penny Whitehead. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at the funeral home. Friends may also visit with the family at her residence. Family and friends will assemble at the funeral home at 10:15 a.m. Saturday to go to the cemetery. Condolences to the Townsend family may be e-mailed to mfc@chartertn.net.
Memorial Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements.