Mary Linda Townsend Kelly

Mary Linda Townsend Fowler Kelly, loving mother, sister, aunt and friend, departed from this world on September 17, 2011 after a long struggle with diabetes. Mary, the daughter of Ida Elizabeth and Grover C. Townsend, was born June 16, 1924 in Red Springs, NC. After graduation from Red Springs High School, she received her associate degree from Flora McDonald College. Marys first husband, Herbert Fowler, and their son Joe, both predeceased her. For many years she was employed by Liberty Manufacturing before moving to Orlando, Florida. While living in Orlando, Mary was employed as a bookkeeper and was active in the womens organization of the Moose, as well as her church. She unselfishly opened her home to family and friends on numerous occasions and enjoyed their company. Following the death of her second husband, Edward Kelly, she moved to King, NC, in 2000, where she resided with her daughter-in-law until 2004, when she moved to Village Care Nursing Facility. Mary enjoyed participating in scrap booking, crafts and exercise class at the facility. As a strong Christian, Mary was a member of First Christian Church of King. Although she was unable to attend services, her witness was reflected in her kind spirit and encouraging words of faith to the residents, staff members and church members who visited her regularly. Mary was predeceased by her sister, Doris T. Hope Colvin. Survivors include her brothers, Earl Townsend and wife, Mildred, of Red Springs, NC; G.C .Townsend and his late wife Jenny of Lenoir, NC; Paul Townsend and wife, Dorothy, of Charlotte, NC; Charles Donald Townsend and wife, Carol, of Benbrook, Texas; and her beloved daughter-in-law, Sara P. Fowler, of King, NC, along with many nieces and nephews. The Celebration of Life Service will be held Tuesday, September 20, 2011 at 2:00 at Crumplers Funeral Home in Red Springs, NC. Officiating will be Glenn Van Meter, minister of First Christian Church of King. Visitation will occur one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers the family requests that memorials be sent to the American Diabetes Association of Winston-Salem, NC or First Christian Church, 625 Meadowbrook Dr., King, NC 27021. The family would like to thank the nurses and staff at Village Care Nursing Facility who lovingly cared for Mary. "Fight the good fight with all thy might; Christ is thy strength, and Christ thy right; Lay hold on life and it shall be Thy joy and crown eternally."