Shepherd Vincent Townsend, Jr.

Shepherd Vincent Townsend Jr. 74 of Birmingham passed away peacefully at his home on Easter Sunday, April 16, the day which celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Mr. Townsend was the son of the late S. Vincent Townsend and Julia Brantley Townsend, and brother to the late Jean O’Connor Snyder. Townsend was a native and lifelong resident of Birmingham. Born and raised in a neighborhood near St. Vincent's Hospital, he received confirmation at Saint Mary's on the Highlands Church. His education included Ramsay High School, Marion Military Institute, and University of Alabama where he was a member of Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity. Afterwards, he began a career at The Birmingham News Co. in 1964 serving early as Director of Public Affairs where he coordinated public service projects such as the Miss Alabama Pageant and Festival of Sacred Music. He later served as Director of Sales and Marketing until an early retirement due to a physical illness in 1990. Civic and cultural organizations he had been active in include past member of Country Club of Birmingham, Past Vice President of Birmingham Area Chamber of Commerce, and the Birmingham Rotary Club. Of all the civic work done at The News, Mr. Townsend thought his time serving as Chairman of the Birmingham Festival of Arts was perhaps his most special accomplishment.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Anne Knight Townsend. Mr. Townsend is survived by his three children, Shepherd Vincent Townsend III, John Thomason Townsend (Suzanna), and Brantley Townsend Lukens (Rob), all of Birmingham; grandchildren, Shepherd Thomas Townsend, John Finley Townsend, Ella Elizabeth Lukens, Robert James Lukens Jr., and many loving nieces, nephews, and cousins. Pallbearers will be Robert James Lukens, Michael Brady O’Connor, Patrick Shepherd O’Connor, George Spencer Cooper, William Myers Phillips, Robert Buchanan Phillips, and William Knight Holbrook. The family would like to thank caregivers Qui' Ana and Maliria Robinson as well as Hope Hospice Services. A memorial service will be held at Independent Presbyterian Church, 3100 Highland Avenue South, Birmingham, Alabama at 10:00am on Thursday, April 20, preceded by a visitation at 9:30am. A private family graveside service will follow. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Cancer Society 1104 Ireland Way, Birmingham, AL 35205 or the American Heart Association 1104 Medical Park Drive South, Birmingham, AL 35213