Shirley Townsend

Shirley was born in Dunnellon, Florida on November 3, 1947, to parents Lonnie Townsend and Annie Bell (Cooper), who both preceded her in death.
    Shirley lived in Dunnellon most of her life. She graduated as Salutatorian of Booker T. Washington High School. She continued her education at the local college in Ocala, Florida. She worked with many of her friends at the “Crab House” for many years until her health failed. She would spend the remainder of her life as a loving grandmother and homemaker cooking delicious community-famous meals for her family and the neighborhood that will surely be missed.
She leaves to mourn: Children: Rhae Young of Ocala, FL; Ericka Townsend (Gantry) of Dunnellon, FL; Bruce Branford of Dunnellon, FL; and Brian Branford (Chamonic) of Spring Hill, FL. Grandchildren: Christopher Blanford, Brian Blanford, Xavier Blanford, Zoe Blanford, Taliyah Blanford, Taniylah Blanford, Bruce Blanford, Maurice Townsend, Damon Townsend, Myeisha Belvin, Donte Lerma, Bruce Blanford II, Bruce Blanford, Bryce Blanford, Damonica, Cason Townsend, Amar Townsend, London Blanford, Kalani Belle Lerma, Christian Randolph, and Bailee Blanford. Siblings: Shirley was one of many siblings John Henry Thomas, Lonnie Townsend Jr, Marva Nunn, Alan Thomas, and Judy Johnson, all preceding her in death; Nathaniel (Nat) Thomas Jr, Ronald (Shorty) Thomas, Kenny Thomas, Roslyn Thomas Gilliam, Deedra Hester, Amos Townsend, Thaddeus Townsend, Georgiana Mango, Henry Townsend and Beatrice Townsend. All will miss her dearly.
As well, there are many close cousins, nephews, nieces, aunts, uncles, friends and neighbors who will feel this loss.

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