Vera Townsend

Vera Fussell Townsend

Mrs. Vera Beatrice Townsend passed away in Forest, MS on Monday, April 22, 2013 after a lengthy battle with Alzheimer’s disease. Graveside services will be held at Springville Cemetery, Coushatta, LA Thursday, April 25, 2013 at 2:00 pm at Springville Cemetery in Coushatta, LA.
Born in Many, LA on August 31, 1918, Vera grew up in Grand Bayou, LA. After graduating from Grand Bayou High School in 1936 she entered LA State Normal College in the fall of that year. She interrupted her education to marry Louis Claude Townsend and moved to Coushatta, LA. They had two children, Vianne and Louis C. Townsend, Jr. Together they bought and operated Townsend’s Supermarket and the T-Bar Ranch.
After working in the store and raising two children, Vera returned to college, earning a Master’s Degree in Education from Northwestern LA University. She taught school in Natchitoches Parish inspiring many girls to become accomplished seamstresses and wonderful cooks. She served as Home Demonstration Agent for Red River Parish, later Truancy Officer for the Parish School Board and ended her career as Administrator of Food Service for the Red River Parish school system.
The increasing effects of Alzheimer’s forced Vera to leave her beloved home in Coushatta and move to Mississippi to be near her daughter, Vianne Durham. Though her memory was affected, she did not forget the many occasions she and Louis entertained friends and family in their home. She remembered the numerous meals shared by the Townsend clan over the years for holidays, birthdays, and later, funeral gatherings. She remembered fondly her azaleas blooming in the spring. She cherished the Sorority luncheons held in her home. She remembered traveling with Louis in their RV and trips to Europe and the Holy Land. She had forgotten a lot, but not the home and friends in Coushatta.
Vera was preceded in death by her parents, James P. and Alice Fussell; husband, Louis C. Townsend, Sr.; and son-in-law, John Durham of Forest, MS. Left to mourn her passing are her children, Vianne T. Durham of Forest, MS, and Louis C. Townsend, Jr. and wife Sherry of Waskom, TX; four grandchildren, Mike Durham and wife Ann, Jim Durham, Annalisa Lefebvre and husband Chris, and Louis Townsend, III; seven great- grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.
You may leave a condolence or light a memory candle by visiting our website at www.wolffuneralservices.com.