David E Townsend

David Earl Townsend passed away on June 3, 2020, after a brief battle with cancer.  David was born on January 24, 1944 in East Lincoln, Mississippi near Brookhaven to Jesse and Lurline Townsend, both who preceded him in death. 

He attended Fair Oaks Springs School until his senior year and upon its closure he went to and graduated from Enterprise Attendance Center.  It was, however, while attending Fair Oaks Springs that he met Anna Lavenia Carlisle, known as Lavenia, who became his high school sweetheart.   

David served in the United States Army, enlisting in 1962. He was stationed at Fort Huachuca, Arizona and served one year in Korea. When he returned from his time in the army, his Dad gave him a dime and told him to “go call that Carlisle girl”. David and Lavenia married on April 2, 1966. They remained in Mississippi until 1969 when they moved to Baytown where they have lived for over 50 years.  David was an active member of Second Baptist Church Highlands.

David worked for Lyondell Chemicals for over 30 years and retired at 55 to enjoy his life with Lavenia and play some golf. David had a passion for race cars and was part owner and driver with STK Racing for several years and drove competitively at Battleground Speedway. He spoke fondly of those years working alongside Murray Sisson and Vern Kingsmill. David was an avid sports fan that rarely missed an Astros or Rockets game. However, his favorite pastime was watching his grandchildren participate in their activities and never missed any of Alyssa’s softball games (including those All-Star games in Louisiana), Mary’s dance recitals or pageants, and Caleb’s baseball and basketball games.

David is survived by his wife of 54 years, Lavenia Townsend of Baytown; daughter and son-law Davida and James “Beau” Rosser of Highlands; son and daughter-in-law Kevin and Diane Townsend of Kansas City, MO. Brothers Charles Townsend (Florence) and Jimmy Townsend (Debbie) of Spring; Glenn Townsend of Brookhaven, MS; and sister Karen Geoghegan (Donnie) of Petal, MS.  He is also survived by three grandchildren, Alyssa Rosser of Lindale, TX, Mary Bigham (Taylor) of Baytown, and Caleb Rosser (fiancée Ivy Peters) of Highlands and one great-granddaughter Aubree Kay Bigham and honorary great-grandchildren Orion and Adalei. David is also survived by many nieces and nephews that named him the “favorite uncle”.

David was preceded in death by sisters-in-law Carolyn Kingsmill and husband Vern and Geraldine Smith and husband Darrell. 

Services will be held Saturday, June 6 at 3 pm at Second Baptist Highlands, 400 East Wallisville, Highlands Tx 77562. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be given in his memory to Second Highlands. Please specify the Building and Grounds fund.