Gloria Delores Townsend

Gloria Delores Townsend, 90, departed this world for heaven on April 4, 2018, at the University of Maryland Shore Medical Center in Easton, MD. She was born on April 30, 1927 in Benzonia, MI, the daughter of the late Howard and Ann Moody. She is survived by two sisters, Virginia Jackson and Joeann Delgado and families in Flint, MI; as well as her three children, Linda Houchens (Reuben), William Townsend (Olga), Beverly Townsend D’Astoli; her six grandchildren; Reuben Houchens, III, (Anna), Steven Houchens (Emily), Michele D’Astoli, Eugene Michael D’Astoli (Tina), Kristopher Townsend, (Jennifer), Jennifer Leigh Townsend; and 10 great-grandchildren, Erica Stevens, Monica Houchens, Steven Houchens, Jr., Noah Houchens, Samuel Houchens, Julia Houchens, Thomas Houchens, Patrick Houchens, Travis Corsell, Brittany Corsell, Zachary Corsell, Bailey Burns, Michael D’Astoli, Avery D’Astoli, Jakob Brogden, Nicholas Salbiveri, Emily Townsend, Allison Townsend, Kate Townsend; and many dear friends who have lovingly befriended and helped her during the time she has lived in Talbot County, MD, particularly, Betsy Feiler, Gail Black, Joedy Cecil, Jodi Tedder, and her beloved Pastor, Keith Maxwell. Gloria had been retired for several years but had previously worked as a cosmetic manager which, in 1957 and 1958, earned her two consecutive trips to Cuba prior to the Communist takeover. She had also owned and managed a restaurant in Detroit, MI. She was a hard worker at every job she undertook, and this fact let to chronic back problems for which she underwent multiple surgeries and lived with chronic pain for most of her life. However, this did not prevent her from, in her later years, spending time baking birthday cakes for all her neighbors in the senior community she lived in, as well as visiting homes door to door on many Saturdays to share the Good News of the gospel of Jesus Christ. As time went on and she came into her 90’s, her health began to fail and she became increasingly more confined to her home. She experienced many tumultuous times in her early years and made mistakes she would later deeply regret and repent of, but in her later years, she “finished well”, becoming a beloved member of her family, church family and the community where she lived. Her 90th birthday party was a highlight of her life as the majority of her family gathered together with her to celebrate on a beautiful April day in 2017. She often stated she was content and felt ready to meet the Lord whenever He was ready for her, being confident in the salvation Jesus Christ had provided her. After an increase in the severity of her health condition and being transitioned to Hospice care, she passed comfortably and peacefully into God’s Presence at sunrise. A visitation will be held Monday, April 9, from 6 – 8 p.m. at Fellows, Helfenbein & Newnam Funeral Home, P.A., 200 S. Harrison St., in Easton. The funeral service will be held on Tuesday, April 10, at 11 a.m. at the Easton Church of God. Burial will be at Spring Hill Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Easton Church of God, 1009 N. Washington St., Easton, MD 21601.

Gloria Delores Townsend

April 30, 1927 - April 4, 2018