Rev. Frank Townsend, Jr.

"I have fought the good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith". II Timothy 4:7 Rev. Frank Townsend, Jr. was born on August 10, 1927 in West Point, Mississippi to the late Frank Townsend, Sr. and Maggie Miller Townsend. On October 6, 2015, God in his infinite wisdom deemed it necessary to call from our midst His beloved servant Rev. Frank Townsend, Jr. So we bow in humble submission to His will and pause to reflect upon the life of a great husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, friend and servant of God. From the beginning it was ordained of God that the oneness of man involved choosing a helpmate. So in 1952 Frank pledged his love and vows to Eserlean Carvin and to this union twelve children came into being. Rev. Townsend believed that one must make earthly preparation for life beyond the grave. With that belief, he accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior at the Morning Star Baptist Church. Upon moving to El Dorado, Rev. Townsend worked in the construction business for Empire Builders as a Master Carpenter. With eight children to support Rev. Townsend realized he needed to do something else to support his family. He started working for Tillery Upholstery Company as an apprentice. After a few years with them, he decided to start his own business Townsend Upholstery and Refinishing. It became a successful business in El Dorado and surrounding counties. During the sixties racial discrimination was at its highest, so Rev. Townsend joined the NAACP to help combat racial segregation and discrimination in his city. Later Rev. Townsend became the local president of the NAACP where he served faithfully for many years. Rev. Townsend worked to achieve social and economic equality not only for the black race but for all people throughout Union County. In 1971, Rev. Townsend accepted his calling into the ministry to preach the gospel under the pastorate of the late Rev. George Hood. In 1973 he accepted the position of Assistant Pastor of the Olive Branch Baptist Church under the leadership of the late Rev. J.H. Rowe. Upon Rev. Rowe's death, Rev. Townsend accepted the full-time position as the pastor of Olive Branch Baptist Church where he served faithfully for 27 years. The church and community experienced exponential growth under his leadership. Under Rev. Townsend leadership Olive Branch built a new building and he lead the movement to build low income housing for the Fordville Community. During his years as pastor of Olive Branch Church, Rev. Townsend birth four sons into the ministry; Rev. James Shutes, Rev. Robert Aaron, Rev. Clarence Woods and Rev. Dwayne Thompson. Rev. Townsend loved his family and loved sitting on his front porch with his family reminiscing about the good times they shared in life. Rev. Townsend believed the Golden Rule; treat others the way you desire them to treat you. Rev. Townsend was preceded in death by his loving wife, Eserlean, his first son Willie and three daughters, Annie, Ruth Ann and Frankie. Surviving to celebrate the spirit of his memories is his four sons, Alfred Townsend, Albert Townsend and Joe(Carolyn)Townsend all of El Dorado, Arkansas; four daughters, Henri Etta(Courtney)Brown of Little Rock, Arkansas, Estella(Roy)Crew of Dallas, Texas, Ada Green and Maxine(Ray)Lewis all of El Dorado, Arkansas; one brother Leo(Betsy)Townsend of East St. Louis, Illinois; two sisters, Bobbie Dorn of Macomb, Illinois and Ceaster Mayes of East St. Louis, Illinois; 26 grandchildren, 48 great-grandchildren and 6 great-great-grandchildren; a host of nieces,nephews and other relatives and friends that loved him dearly. Visitation at the funeral home will be Friday, Oct. 16, 2015 from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. and Sat. Oct. 17, from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. A Home going Celebration for Rev. Townsend will be held on Saturday, October 17, 2015 at 1:00 p.m. at Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church, 2506 North College Avenue, El Dorado, Arkansas with Rev. Felton Burgie officiating. Interment will follow in the Morning Star Cemetery, El Dorado, under the direction of the Sims Mortuary Staff. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Rev. Frank Townsend, Jr., please visit our flower store.