Sylvester (Ves) Townsend, 82, of Hawkins, TX passed away February 13, 2019 in Tyler. He was born October 11, 1936 in Marthaville, Louisiana to Jake Thomas Townsend and Ola Belle Mitchell Townsend. He married Elaine June 2, 1957 in Hugo, Oklahoma. Sylvester was a mechanic and was very mechanically inclined. He enjoyed reading Zane Gray westerns, detective stories and would stay up all night reading. He enjoyed collecting guns and knives, especially Case knives. Sylvester was a meat and potatoes kind of guy and loved desserts, especially Blue Bell Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream. He was also certified in auto electronics. He would repair cars for all the widows around the church and community. There was not a street in Hawkins he had not touched and tried to help beautify. He especially loved his grandbabies. Sylvester was a veteran of the U.S. Army where he proudly served until he was honorably discharged to go home to take care of his family after his parents passing. He continued after that to be in the Army Reserves.
Sylvester is survived by his wife of 62 years, Elaine, daughter, Debbie Lee Townsend of Hawkins, TX, four sons, Mike Townsend and wife Debbie A. of Kilgore, TX, Mark Townsend and wife Kristi of McKinney, TX, Matt Townsend and wife Valerie of Longview, TX, and Tommy Townsend of Visalia, CA, sisters, Bonita Heffner of Mt. Croghan, SC, Effie Baily of Charlotte, NC, and Nellie Townsend of Charlotte, NC, 15 grandchildren, 21 great grandchildren, and 4 great great grandchildren. He is also survived by a number of nieces, nephews, extended family and those special ones who considered him to be a father figure. He is preceded in death by his parents, five brothers, Dewey, Jim, Don, Larry, Harry; sister, Frankie Gardner and grandson Joshua Townsend.
Graveside services for Sylvester will be Saturday, February 23, 2019 at 2:00 p.m. at Lakeview Memorial Gardens at 5000 West Harrison Road, Longview, TX. In lieu of flowers, the family wishes that memorials be made to Hospice of East Texas or the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network.
