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Someone has said that a smile is the key that fits the lock of everybody’s heart. If that is so, Bobby Townsend had the key to everyone’s heart, because he constantly smiled, especially when he was around people.

Townsend died March 19 after a brief battle with cancer.

He and his wife, Betty, were longtime residents of the Central Community and were members of the Sinking Creek Baptist Church, where Townsend had served as a deacon and was “Bus Driver Bob” for the youth for many years.

There were not many things that Townsend did not have his fingers in – from church to basketball referee, election commissioner, board member for Carter County Parks and Recreation, volunteer fireman, Army reservist, farmer, as well as holding a full-time job.

Townsend was a sportsman at heart. He was a former TSSAA basketball referee from 1961 to 1993, officiating many high school basketball games, including two TSSAA high school state tournaments. His wife shared that he enjoyed watching basketball on television as well as watching the Braves play baseball. “He not only enjoyed the game of basketball, but he enjoyed watching the kids play and interacting with them,” Betty shared.

Townsend was a member of the Central Volunteer Fire Department, where he served on the board of directors. He was also a former member of the Carter County Election Commission and the Carter County Parks and Recreation Board. He was all about service and people. His life was filled with service, whether it be his church, community or family, and his trademark was his smile.

Townsend greeted almost everyone with a smile. He couldn’t help it. He enjoyed people and just doing for them. To him, service was what life was all about.

In addition to his civic responsibilities, Townsend was a hard worker. He retired from General Shale in 2002 after 33 years of employment. He more recently had worked at Axis Security.

He retired from the Army Reserves as a staff sergeant. Townsend served in Desert Storm in 1991, serving with the 639th Transportation Company, 3rd Platoon, in Kingsport.

At home, Townsend was a down-to-earth fellow who enjoyed raising a garden in the summer, which earned him the honor of being named Small Producer of the Year in 1999. Betty said her husband’s favorite thing to grow was vegetables. “He always had a garden and he could grow anything. He grew green beans, cucumbers, tomatoes, corn — you name it. And he loved to eat the vegetables that he grew, especially green beans,” she shared.

Townsend also enjoyed raising and tending cattle. He was a member of the Carter County Cattlemen’s Association and was an award winner for his cattle as well.

When he wasn’t working, gardening or officiating at ballgames, Townsend enjoyed camping with his family and friends at Roan Mountain, Davy Crockett Campground and at Myrtle Beach.

“He enjoyed everything he did, but most of all he loved the Lord and his family,” shared his wife.

Bobby was the father of two sons: Jeff and Kevin Townsend, and had two grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Bobby was laid to rest March 23 at Happy Valley Memorial Park.

Friends on the funeral home tribute page specifically remembered Townsend for his service to the community and to his church, his faith, his smile and his friendship.

For sure, Bobby Townsend’s smile came from the heart. He scattered rich smiles to sad hearts every day. And today, his smile is wider than ever as he is at “home” and rejoicing.