(Evelyn) Faye Townsend, of Eden, Maryland passed away surrounded by loved ones on November 23rd, 2025. Faye was born on September 20, 1941, in Laurel, DE. She lost her mother to breast cancer at the tender age of 7. She spent her youth helping on her Uncle Andrew and Aunt Edie’s farm while her father worked with racehorses in the area. Eventually she was raised by her father Alvin Truitt and stepmother Josie Jones.
After graduating from Wicomico High School, where she was known as Rapunzel for her long hair, she cut her hair in preparation to enter the service, but her parents foiled that plan. She dabbled in different careers and lived in Baltimore for a while. She was instrumental in the creation and success of Eastern Shore Refrigeration where she worked for over 35 years. After “retirement” she worked at the Wicomico County Health Department for another nine years.
She married Gene Townsend in 1987, and they enjoyed camping at Sandy Hill Campground and being a part of the Improved Order of Redmen and Degree of Pocahontas. Faye obtained her state honors as Past Great Pocahontas and was a lifetime member of Tony Tank Council #61. They hosted many formal and informal cookouts and gatherings around the pool welcoming anyone who showed up.
Faye knew no “steps” or “halves” or “by marriage”, family was family. She is survived by children and their families, Becky and Joe Reading, Marilyn and David Landry, Judy and John Scott, Debbie and Jim Campbell, Christine Smith, Marguerite Townsend, grandchildren of her deceased children, Crystal and Jason Marks, Michele and Ed Draper, Jessica Mitchell and Sarah Prince and caregiver grandchildren, Brandy and Morgan Pusey and Tristin Griffin. She is also survived by many other loving grandchildren and great-grandchildren and other close relatives and their families, Bonnie and Steve Gordy, Ruby Riley, Buddy and Margaret Biddle, and Jackie Jones. She also leaves behind her best feline friend, Sasha.
She was preceded in death by ex-husband, Alan Messick and by husband, Eugene “Gene” Townsend; brothers, Tom Jones, Ernest Jones, Joseph Jones, Roy Jones; sister and brother-in-law, Ruby and Buddy Biddle, sister, Eleanor Jones; children, Mark Townsend and Janine McGrath.
Faye was a kind, caring and giving person who always put the needs of her family before her own. She was a strong woman who faced every challenge in her life with courage and dignity. She was a woman of strong will and she instilled in all of us the importance of family, hard work and doing what is right. She was a source of inspiration, a true role model who we will always look up to, and she will be deeply missed by everyone whose lives she touched.
As we say goodbye to Faye, we celebrate a life well-lived, full of joy, service, and an abundance of love. Her memory will forever inspire us to live our lives with the same generosity of spirit. Faye's journey on this earth may have concluded, but her spirit remains a guiding force of love and devotion for all those she touched.
A Celebration of Faye’s Life will be held Sunday, December 7, 2025, at 2pm at Redmen Tony Tank Tribe #149, 103 Clyde Ave, Fruitland, MD 21826.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made in memory of Faye to Wicomico County Humane Society, 5130 Citation Dr, Salisbury, MD 21804.
Visit www.boundsfuneralhome.com to share stories and memories with the family.
