Sara Eldridge Townsend

A memorial service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 7, in the Hutton Chapel of First Presbyterian Church of Jackson, Mississippi.

Ms. Townsend was born on March 8, 1958, and grew up in Jackson, Mississippi. She was a graduate of Provine High School and later attended the University of Southern Mississippi.

She loved to travel with friends and family throughout the United States and the United Kingdom. A woman of many interests and talents, she enjoyed flower gardening, sewing, antiquing, and photography. She had a remarkable breadth of knowledge and could engage in intelligent conversations on many topics. She was also a family historian and a gifted storyteller.

Throughout her professional life, Ms. Townsend served in various roles, including her early work at the Mississippi College School of Law. After several years with the Wyatt Company in Dallas, Texas, she later specialized in title and escrow accounting and forensic accounting. Her entrepreneurial spirit also led her to partner in several business ventures over the years.

Yet what defined Ms. Townsend most deeply was her unwavering faith in Jesus Christ. Through many challenges, her trust in Him remained steadfast. As one of her favorite songs expressed so beautifully, “the anchor holds.” Today, she is rejoicing in the presence of her Savior.

Ms. Townsend was preceded in death by her parents, Chester Ray Blanks and Willie Ruth Blanks of Brandon.

She is survived by her brothers, Daniel Paul Blanks of Brandon and David Ray Blanks of Port Gibson; two daughters, Tammy Chere Smith (Shannon) of Citronelle, Alabama and Kara Anne Hays (Greg) of Norman, Oklahoma; one son Nathan Scott Eldridge (Terry) of Huntsville, Alabama; and eight grandchildren.

Those who knew Sara Townsend remember her as a gifted and capable woman, whose love for the Lord shaped her life and relationships. She cared for her family and friends with selfless devotion, and was generous, thoughtful and had an infectious laugh. She was dearly loved and will be deeply missed by her children, grandchildren, family, and many dear friends.