Sue was born on April 24, 1921, to Dalton Austin and Minnie Akin Wesson. She grew up in Haywood County in West Tennessee and graduated from Haywood High School and from Union University in Jackson, Tennessee. Upon her graduation from Union, she was awarded the Tigrett Medal given each year to the outstanding graduate. She was married soon after her graduation to Mahlon Lynn Townsend, who preceded her in death in 1994 after 53 years of marriage. They moved to East Tennessee in 1944. Sue taught second grade at South Knoxville Elementary School for 30 years. She was a member of Lake Forest Presbyterian Church for over 50 years and was involved in numerous activities there including serving as elder. She volunteered for many years at the South Knoxville Fish Food Pantry. At the time of her death she was a faithful member of Meridian Baptist Church.
In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by her daughter, Linda Townsend Moulton, her brother, Dalton A. Wesson, Jr., and her daughter-in-law, Carolyn Dominick Townsend.
She is survived by her two sons, Dalton Lynn Townsend, Nashville; and Robert Neal Townsend and wife, Laura, Knoxville; also by eight grandchildren: Christopher Moulton, Nashville; Michael Moulton, Brevard, NC; Susan Evans and husband, Sid, Birmingham, AL; Keith Townsend and wife, Andrea, Atlanta; Sarah Townsend, Sugarloaf Key, FL; Mark Townsend, Atlanta; Elizabeth Smith and husband, Jeremy, Raleigh, NC; Julie Gontarek and husband, Paul, Nashville; also by nine great grandchildren.
Graveside services will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, April 3, 2022, at Woodlawn Cemetery, 4500 Woodlawn Pike, Knoxville, with Reverend Dana Fachman officiating. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be given to the church or charity of your choice. Condolences may be offered at www.berryfuneralhome.com
