Gloria Townsend

Gloria June (Williams) Townsend, age 81, passed away peacefully this Friday, June 26th at Asbury Hospice House in Hattiesburg, Mississippi surrounded by loved ones, after a courageous battle with cancer.

She was born in Panama City, Florida, November 9th, 1944, to the late Ruth (Daniels) and J.H. Williams.

She is survived by her husband of 63 years, Roland Townsend, and their three sons, James, Stacy and Brandon, as well as her two sisters, Patricia and Carol, and her brother, Danny.

Gloria graduated from Lumberton High school in 1962 where she was the class secretary treasurer, president of the girls’ basketball team, in the All-Desoto Conference, band, commercial club, F. T. A., and a majorette. She won the Betty Crocker Homemaking Award, Typing Award, Most Athletic Girl and Best Offensive Player.

Throughout her life, Gloria was known to be a deeply devoted person; devoted to her family, her community, and her faith. She had ten grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren, each of whom she adored immensely. She was a pillar of her community, volunteering much of her time to the Lumberton Ladies Quilting Ministry, Lumberton Main Street Associates and her church, “The Lumberton Church”. And most of all, she never hesitated to share her passion for her faith with anyone who would listen.

Those who knew her, knew her to be sincere, dependable, curious, quick witted, adventurous, joyful and kind. She had an unmatched and contagious fervor for life, never more exemplified than in her worship. She was most fulfilled when passing her time by going on long walks, RV camping, shooting hoops with her grandsons in the driveway, playing card games, putting together jigsaw puzzles, gardening, dancing, reading scripture and being with family.

Her loved ones will cherish her memory forever and miss her deeply every day, but are grateful for the privilege it was to know her, whether as a friend, sister, mother, grandmother or wife.

Family and friends are invited to attend Gloria's visitation on Tuesday, June 30, 2026, from 10:00 am until 11:00 am, at The Lumberton Church, 209 W. Main Ave, Lumberton, Mississippi. Her funeral service will begin at 11:00 am. Burial will follow in Lumberton City Cemetery, with Ben Townsend, Isaac Townsend, Caleb Townsend, Andrew Townsend, Jeffrey Townsend and Noah Townsend serving as pallbearers.