Annie H. Townsend

James & Sikes Funeral Home Maddox Chapel Annie Howard Townsend, 97 years old, of Marianna, passed away on Sunday, November 11, 2012, after a brief battle with pancreatic cancer. Born on May 19, 1915, in Sand Mountain , AL , her family migrated to Jackson County shortly thereafter. Annie was predeceased by her husband, McCoy Townsend; her parents, Monroe and Essie Howard; two brothers, Gilman Howard and Gus Howard; four sisters, Hattie Walsh, Opal Spence, Ruby Hamilton, and Elsa Hatley; a nephew, Waymon Moneyham; and a great niece, Lisa Walsh Shiver. Annie is survived by her brother, Ed Howard (and wife, Jewel) of Tallahassee; 13 nieces and nephews, 2 of whom are from Marianna: Kenneth Walsh (and wife, Catherine) and Walter Spence (and wife, Elizabeth); a niece-in-law, Janet Moneyham of Marianna; 24 great nieces and nephews of which 6 were raised in Jackson County [John Perry Moneyham (and wife, Julie), Janet Lynne Moneyham Booth, Kelly Spence Connolly (and husband, Sean), Steven Spence (and wife, Jennifer), Tracy Walsh Roberts (and husband, David), and Kim Walsh Darby (and husband, Leslie)]; and an ever-growing number of great-great nieces and nephews. Annie is also survived by her stepdaughter, Frances Pruitt of Marianna, together with 2 step grandchildren and 4 step great-grandchildren. Annie was an active member of Trinity Baptist Church for 62 years where she enthusiastically served as a Sunday School teacher. She also belonged to the Marianna Garden Club, Dahlia Circle , from 1961 - 2011. Professionally, Annie and her husband, McCoy, owned and operated "Townsends BBQ" until it closed in 1960. In addition, Annie owned and operated "Annie's Beauty Shop" as a hairdresser until her retirement. Gifted with a keen sense of humor, Annie's love of people was her admitted passion. As she put it, "People are so stimulating!" Annie cultivated the friendship of many over her lifetime - all of whom she made feel welcomed and nurtured. She hosted many in her home for meals, games, and parties and enjoyed going to visit in others' homes as well. Reading, gardening, game-playing, traveling, and studying the Word were among Annie's favored activities - all of which she actively pursued. But while her activities were many and varied, Annie believed that a simple life is the best life - and she modeled what she believed. Funeral services for Annie will be held 10 a.m. Wednesday, November 14, 2012, at Trinity Baptist Church with Rev. Roland Rabon officiating. Burial will follow in Pinecrest Memorial Gardens with James and Sikes Funeral Home Maddox Chapel directing. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, November 13, 2012, from 5-7 p.m. at James & Sikes Maddox Chapel. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Annie Townsend to Covenant Hospice, 4215 Kelson Avenue , #E, Marianna , FL 32446 or Trinity Baptist Church (General Fund), 3023 Pennsylvania Avenue , Marianna , FL 32446.