Obituary of Marilyn Maxine Townsend

Marilyn Maxine (Caraway) Townsend of Palm Bay, Florida died Monday, May 20, 2024 at the age of 90. Marilyn was born on August 20, 1933 in Daviess County, Missouri. She was the daughter of Gordon Delbert Willis and Lillie Mae Caraway. She was united in marriage to Charles Townsend Jr on December 16, 1950 in Pontiac, Michigan. 

Marilyn loved being around her family who loved her immensely. She enjoyed crafting and camping but most of all she enjoyed her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was a member of and very active in the American Legion Women’s Auxiliary where she served as president for several years in St. Helen, Michigan. She was also a very active member of the Good Sam Club and was a member of the Wildwood Wheelers, Chapter 23 out of West Branch, Michigan. Marilyn had immense compassion for others and worked for many years supporting adults with special needs. She rarely spoke a negative word about anyone and always gave others the benefit of the doubt. 

Left to cherish her memory are son Robert Leroy Townsend, daughter Donna Mae Reeves (Ron), grandchildren Derrick John Townsend (Holly), Shannon Marie Adams, Jered Avery Townsend (Rachel), Wayne Donald Townsend, Shannon Marie Graves (James), Brandy Rocheleau (Michael), and Benjamin Preston Reeves (Lyn), fourteen great grandchildren, sister Dorothea Mae Reagan, brothers Jack Marshall and Dennis Marshall (Margaret), and several nieces and nephews.

 Marilyn was preceded in death by her parents Gordon and Lillie, step-father Thorley Marshall, husband Charles Townsend Jr, a stillborn daughter in 1955, sons Charles D Townsend III and Ronald Lee Townsend, daughters-in-law Kathryn (Franco) Townsend and Patricia (McKeller) Townsend, and brother Bob Marshall. 

Services will be held at a later date, yet to be determined. 

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in her memory to the Muscular Dystrophy Association.