Tonia Marie Townsend

She was born on August 22, 1940 in Birmingham to Mary Rouveyrol Townsend and Armon Townsend who have predeceased her. She spent her younger years in Bush Hills before her family moved to Vestavia Hills.

Tonia graduated from Shades Valley High School in 1958 before attending Howard College where she came to know Jesus Christ as her personal Savior. She raised five children in Tuscaloosa, encouraging each to pursue their own personal relationship with Christ. She literally never met a stranger.

She loved studying the Bible and serving the church. Tonia spent years teaching Sunday School and filled the role of church clerk at Rosedale Baptist Church. She was a member of Daystar Family Church for most of her later years.

She is survived by her children Scott Buttram (Lori) of Trussville, Ala., Todd Palmer (Shannon), Keith Palmer (Kim), Julie Palmer and Susie Palmer of Tuscaloosa; grandchildren Jase (Molly) Buttram, Sara Marie Buttram, Carson Palmer, Mason Palmer, Harrison Palmer, Tyler (Taylor) Palmer, Alyssa Palmer; great-grandchildren Emmaline Buttram and Tatum Buttram; and her brother Lanier (Kay) Townsend of Cullman, Ala.

To borrow from her mother’s obituary, Tonia answered when called by many names from mother to great-grandmother. But of all who called her, the greatest call to which she responded was that of her Lord Jesus Christ.

As it is stated in God’s Word, one must be born again by the Spirit (John 3:3-7) by believing that God sent His only beloved Son, Jesus into the world for the forgiveness of the sins. As it is written, Jesus Himself said, “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life; no one comes to the father except by Me”. (John. 14:6) Because He lives… we can live also.

Visitation will be at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, October 14, 2025 with the Home Going Celebration following at 11 a.m. at Daystar Family Church in Tuscaloosa. Burial will follow at 2 p.m. at Elmwood Cemetery in Birmingham with a prayer and graveside service.