Yvonne "Ebbie" Felicia Townsend

After graduating from Messick High School, Ebbie married her high school sweetheart and best friend, Ed Townsend, and they began a life of service on U.S. Air Force bases before returning to Memphis to raise their family.

She was preceded by her parents and by her best friend and husband of over 60 years, Ed.

Ebbie is survived by her brother, Bob Taylor (Anne); her son Ted Townsend (Leslie); her daughter Rhonda Hazen (Ken) and her beloved grandchildren to whom she was always known as Grammy: Sophie Townsend, Taylor and Hayden Hazen and her step-grandchildren Elizabeth Nolan, Marly Ynigues and Jay Hazen. Her extended family of Taylors and Townsends were also very special to her, especially her cousin-in-law Martha Townsend Kitts and her brother-in-law, Steve Townsend, who preceded her by just a few days.

Ebbie was devoted to her faith and her church home, Ellendale Baptist Church. She and Ed were very active in their Sunday School class and Ebbie remained involved as long as her health allowed. She treasured her church family and was especially loved and looked after by Patsy McDaniel and Sherry Rowell.

She had a knack for making things beautiful: her garden-like yard, her holiday meals and decorations, her family dinners, and her words of comfort whenever someone needed them. She loved to keep up with her family and friends. She was traditional but took to technology amazingly well, carefully texting her grocery list for delivery each week to granddaughter Sophie. She had many talents and gifts and her sweet spirit will be missed.

A visitation for all family and friends will be held at Ellendale Baptist Church at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, December 15, 2025 with the service to begin at 12:00 p.m.