Betty Gunnells Townsend

Betty Gunnells Townsend, age 89, of Mandeville, LA passed away peacefully on April 24th, 2025. She was born on September 16, 1935 in Memphis, TN to Bill and Dicie Gunnels. She graduated from Martin Behrman High School in Algiers, LA in 1952.

Betty started a career with the federal government at the Federal Reserve Bank and retired after almost 40 years of service as Chief Loan Guaranty Officer for the New Orleans Veterans Administration. She was a parishioner at Mary Queen of Peace in Mandeville, and member of Catholic Daughters of America and the Knights of Columbus Ladies Auxiliary at several churches over her lifetime.

She is survived by her beloved children: Laura (David) Siebert, Don (Denise) Bernard II, Hank (Kim) Adams, and Joe (Rachel) Adams. She was a proud grandmother to six direct grandchildren and three great-grandchildren, and many more who were lovingly acquired into her family through marriage and her loving heart.

Betty was preceded in death by her husbands: Milton Townsend, Henry Adams Sr., and Donald Bernard, her grandson Brandon Bernard, and by her siblings Billy L Ray and Bobbie Jean Seals.

Betty enjoyed baking and considered herself a "junk food junkie". Wherever she lived, neighborhood children knew that her house always had cookies, ice cream, and English and math tutoring. Betty was a loving person who always looked for the best in people.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in memory of Betty may be made to the charity that gives the donor the most joy, as Betty always put others’ happiness before her own.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend the funeral services at Grace Funeral Home, 450 Holy Trinity Drive, Covington, LA 70433 on Friday, May 2nd, 2025 at 11:00 AM with visitation beginning at 9:00 AM.

Interment will be in Port Hudson National Cemetery, 20978 Port Hickey Road, Baton Rouge, LA under the direction and care of Grace Funeral Home, on Monday, May 5th, at 11:00 am.

Fond memories can be shared with her family at www.gracenorthshore.com.