Phyllis Jean Townsend

Published 2:20 pm Tuesday, August 25, 2020

Phyllis Jean Townsend passed away on Monday, August 24, 2020. She was reunited in heaven with the love of her life, husband D.J. Townsend. She was the daughter of William E. and Sinnie Grindstaff.

Phyllis was a retired Inspector of ITT North Electric and during retirement worked at Super Food in Stoney Creek.

Always putting everyone else’s needs before her own. She was a woman of strong faith in God and unwavering love for her family. She spent her life providing a loving home for her children and grandchildren. Every Sunday she prepared her famous dinners after church to include at least one favorite food of everyone. She loved to cook, sew, and spend time with family. She always made Christmas Eve very special for her family.

Phyllis was a member of Hunter United Methodist Church where she served as Trustee and Communion Steward. She loved her church family and especially the jelly making and preparing meals for the Men’s Singing Group.

She is survived by daughters, Debbie and husband Joel Street Sr. and Teresa and husband Kelly Crain; grandson, Joel Street Jr. and wife Amber; grandson, Cameron Crain; granddaughter, Kendria Street; great-granddaughters, Makenzie and Chloe Street; her sister, Hazel Proffitt; and her sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Texie and Charlie Henson.

She was preceded in death by her husband, D.J. Townsend; great-granddaughter, Sadie Grace Street; brothers, Warren Grindstaff and Crawford Grindstaff; and sisters, Ruth Bowers, Willow May Grindstaff and Blanch Grindstaff.

The graveside service will be conducted at 11 a.m. Thursday, August 27, at Happy Valley Memorial Park with the Rev. Mike Berry, the Rev. Mark Street and the Rev. Estil Williams officiating. Active pallbearers, who are requested to assemble at the funeral home at 10:20 a.m. Thursday, will be Joel Street Jr., Cameron Crain, Barry Winters, Eric Winters, Jimmy Bowling, Johnny Grindstaff, Ronnie Payne and Denny Grindstaff. Honorary pallbearers will be Paris Street, Delaney Crain, Winston Boots, Bill Cline, Daniel Holder, Kenneth King, Hunter United Methodist Church Family, Sunrise Drive Neighbors, the Staff of Signature Healthcare of Elizabethton, and the Staff of Carter County Schools Administration. Special thanks to Nyoka and Daniel Holder and Nancy and Trent Fotch for always making sure she could attend church activities; and the staff of Sycamore Shoals Hospital and Johnson City Medical Center. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Hunter United Methodist Church, to Nyoka Holder, Treasurer, 130 Beryl Blevins Road, Elizabethton, TN 37643. Condolences may be sent to the family at our website at www.memorialfcelizabethton.com. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, everyone is required to wear a mask and practice social distancing. Friends may register their presence at the funeral home from noon until 4:30 p.m. Wednesday. Family and friends will assemble at the funeral home at 10:20 a.m. Thursday to go in procession to the cemetery.

Memorial Funeral Chapel is serving the Townsend family.