Jerry Townsend Dies at 73

Jerry F. Townsend, a 73-year-old Powder Springs man, died Wednesday after a courageous four-month battle with a brain tumor.

Jerry was born in Aragon, GA and graduated from West Fulton High School in 1956. He served in the National Guard for seven years and worked for BellSouth from 1956 until his retirement in 1994.

He had a deep love of gospel music and was a member of the Crusaders gospel quartet. He was also a former choir member and ordained deacon at East Side Baptist Church and a current member of , where he was a former choir member.

A loving husband and fiercely devoted father, Jerry's amazing love for God and family epitomized everything he believed in.

Jerry is preceded in death by his parents, James Andrew and Pearl Townsend.

He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Charlene Reid Townsend; his three children and their spouses, Richard and Connie Austin of Roswell, Joseph and Cheryl Handley of Douglasville, and Gregory Townsend of Alpharetta; seven grandchildren, Alyssa Handley, Miranda Handley, Tyler Austin, Benjamin Austin, Connor Handley, Charley Townsend, and Ansley Austin; and brother and sister-in-law Jack and Pat Townsend.

The family will receive friends on Friday from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. and 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the West Cobb Funeral Home and Crematory at 2480 Macland Road in Marietta.

Funeral services will be held Saturday at noon at Macland Baptist Church at 3732 Macland Road in Power Springs. He will lie in state from 11 a.m. until the service.

Interment will be in Cheatham Hill Memorial Park. Donations can be made to  1430 Lost Mountain Road in Powder Springs.