Obituary of Mary Townsend

TOWNSEND, MARY ELIZABETH McLEAN Ocala - Mary Elizabeth McLean Townsend passed away Monday, Dec. 13, 2001 at her home at the age of 95. She was born June 25, 1915 to Ruth and Lacy McLean at the McLean family farm in Scotland County, NC near Laurinburg and Maxton. She was the oldest child and had five younger brothers. She graduated Valedictorian from Spring Hill High School in 1931. Even during the Great Depression, she was able to attend Woman's College of the University of North Carolina in Greensboro, NC on scholarship. After graduation, she taught for two years in North Carolina before joining her family who had moved to Ocala. Mary Elizabeth began her teaching career in Marion County at Buck Pond School in Romeo moving on to East Marion School and then to Ocala Junior High. In 1948, she married Elias Phillip Townsend, Jr. and they were blessed with three children: Phil, Neil and Kathie. She received her Master of Education degree from the University of Florida in 1953. Mary Elizabeth returned to East Marion Elementary in the 1960's and retired from N.H. Jones Elementary in 1975. She was a member of Alpha Rho Chapter, Delta Kappa Gamma and Marion County Retired Teachers Association. Mary Elizabeth was a member of First Presbyterian Church since 1941. She loved her church and her Presbyterian heritage. She was proud of her Scottish, Georgia Salzburger, Irish and German ancestors. She was a member of Ocala Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution and a charter member of General Robert Bullock Chapter 2420 United Daughters of the Confederacy. She was Honorary President of the Florida Division UDC. Mary Elizabeth was a genealogist and belonged to many historical and genealogical organizations. She was a devoted daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, teacher and friend to many. She influenced many people and touched many lives. Mary Elizabeth was preceded in death by her parents, her brothers Neil, James, Lewis and Sam and her husband Phillip. She is survived by brothers Bill McLean of Tequesta, FL and Ben McLean of Richmond, VA as well as her children Phil Townsend and wife Sandy, Neil Townsend and wife Holly and Kathie Radcliffe and husband Mike all of Ocala. She was proud of her eight grandchildren Jennifer Townsend, Phillip Townsend, IV, Amy Townsend, Holly Radcliffe Edenfield, Mary Caroline Radcliffe, Lacy Townsend, Michael Radcliffe and Hunter Townsend and two great-grandchildren Christina Pigneri and Sally Kate Edenfield. She will also be missed by many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Her family is grateful to caregivers Dana Haygood and Pat Barto and to everyone who showed care and compassion to her over the years. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, Dec. 18, 2010 at 11:00 A.M. at First Presbyterian Church with Dr. Raymond Guterman officiating. The family will receive friends in the Fellowship Hall at 10:00 A.M. Interment will be at Greenwood Cemetery. A visitation will be held on Friday from 4-6 PM at Hiers-Baxley Funeral Services, 910 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to First Presbyterian Church of Ocala or to your favorite charitable organization.