Earlene Townsend

Earlene "E" Hanson Townsend, age 84, of Rochester, Texas strolled through Heaven's gates on January 31, 2019, at Haskell Memorial Hospital. A funeral service will be held at 2:00p.m., Sunday, February 3, 2019, at the First Baptist Church, Rochester with Rev. Josh Giddens officiating. Burial will follow services at the Rochester Cemetery under the direction of Smith Family Funeral Homes, Rochester. A visitation is planned from 6:00-7:00p.m., Saturday, February 2, 2019, at the funeral home, 200 S. Lincoln Ave., Rochester, TX.

E was born Aug. 3rd 1934 in Knox City, Texas to Earl and Zula Mae (Smith) Hanson. She attended New Mid School before graduating from Rochester High School in 1951. She married her High School sweetheart, RB Townsend of Rochester, on August 12, 1951. Together they raised their two children, Cherri Lynn and Rod in the same community that had raised them.

Most of us choose one occupation. E's occupational choices say much about her personality; multifaceted. She was a daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, a secretary, a farmer, a sports commentator, a tractor driver, a caregiver and a daredevil. To those of us that knew and loved her, she was bigger than life.

E was preceded in death by her parents, her beloved husband, her in-laws, Myrtle and Buck Townsend and her sisters Shelly Speck and Maydell Corley.

She is survived by Cherri Lynn Stegemoeller and husband Calvin of Sagerton, Rod Townsend and wife Velvet of Decatur, grandchildren Eric Stegemoeller of Columbus, Ohio, Ross and Valerie Stegemoeller of Tacoma, Washington, Laci and Cody West of Munday, Christi and Drew Williams of Waco, Tandi and Payden Stewart of Haskell, and great-grandchildren Cheyenne Elizabeth Williams, Timber Thomas and Tanner Buck West, Remi Blair Stewart and granddaughter by choice, Michelle Thane of Haskell.

E's most special quality was her way of making each person she met feel as if they were truly special. She loved big and was a friend to all. She spent her last days surrounded by the ones she laughed with, lived for, and loved on. E, we love you a bushel and a peck and we will collect that hug around the neck when we meet again.

Online condolences can be shared with the family at www.smithfamilyfh.com.