Bobby L. Townsend

Published 2:09 pm Thursday, March 20, 2025

Bobby L. Townsend, Johnson City, our husband, father, papaw, uncle, and friend entered the gates of heaven on March 19, 2024, as Jesus said, “Well done, my good and faithful servant.”

He is the son of the late Hobert Lee Townsend and Hattie Hodge Townsend. He was preceded in death by three brothers, Rex, Hobert, and Ford Townsend. He has one living brother, Glen Townsend.

He was married to Betty Glover Townsend for 66 years, whom he loved very much, and together they built a beautiful life in the Central Community, raising two sons.

He graduated from Happy Valley High School in 1958. He was a faithful, lifelong member of Sinking Creek Baptist Church, where he was a former deacon and “Bus Driver Bob” for the youth for many years.

Bob retired from General Shale in 2002 after 33 years of service. He also recently worked for Axis Security. He retired from the Army Reserves as a staff sergeant. He belonged to the 639th Transportation Company, 3rd Platoon, Kingsport, Tenn. He also served in Desert Storm in 1991.

He was a former TSSAA basketball referee from 1961-1993, officiating many high school basketball games, including two TSSAA High School State Tournaments. He was a former member of the Central Volunteer Fire Department, where he served on the board of directors. He worked as an election official for the Carter County Election Commission. He previously served on the Carter County Parks and Recreation Board.

He was a member of the Carter County Cattlemen’s Association and was named Small Producer of the Year in 1999 and Conservation Farmer in 2000. He received the Director’s Choice Award in 2005 and was Carter County Conservation Farmer of the Year in 2022.

He was an avid UT Vols and NASCAR fan, having attended many football and basketball games and races throughout the years. He also loved camping with family and friends at Roan Mountain, Davy Crockett Campground, and Myrtle Beach. Most of all, he loved the Lord and his family, especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, who held a special place in his heart.

He is survived by his wife, Betty Glover Townsend; his two sons, of whom he was so proud, Jeff (Felisa) and Kevin (Brenda); two grandchildren, Kari Townsend Masters (Andrew) and Brandon Townsend (April); and two great-grandchildren, Colton Masters and Emma Townsend. He is also survived by several nephews and cousins, as well as many friends, including special friends Slim and Juanita Miller, Tom Crumley, Mark and Carol Harris, and Don and Nancy Verran.

The family would like to thank Amedisys Hospice for the excellent care they gave Bob and Dr. Michael Snyder of SOFHA.

A service to celebrate the life of Bobby will be conducted at 6 p.m. Sunday, March 23, 2025, at Sinking Creek Baptist Church with Pastor Chuck Babb officiating. Music will be provided by Larry Taylor. A graveside service will be conducted at 11 a.m. Monday, March 24, 2025, at Happy Valley Memorial Park.

Active pallbearers, who are requested to assemble at the church at 5:50 p.m. Sunday and at the funeral home at 10:20 a.m. Monday, will be Brandon Townsend, Andrew Masters, Colton Masters, Steve Townsend, and Mark Harris.

Honorary pallbearers are Tom Crumley, Tom Townsend, Slim Miller, Allen Haney, Don Verran, Bryan Hoilman, and employees of Axis Security.

The family will receive friends from 4 to 6 p.m. Sunday prior to the service at the church.

Family and friends will assemble at the funeral home at 10:20 a.m. Monday to go in procession to the cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Sinking Creek Baptist Church, 2313 Elizabethton Highway, Johnson City, TN 37601.

Condolences may be sent to the family at our website, www.memorialfcelizabethton.com.

Memorial Funeral Chapel is serving the Townsend family.