Mary Elease (Blackmon) Townsend

“No man is an island, entire of itself. Each is a piece of the continent, a part of the main…. Each man’s death diminishes me, for I am involved in mankind. Therefore, send not to know for whom the bell tolls, it tolls for thee.” And thusly, on the evening of Tuesday, May 23, 2017, the bell tolled for Mary Elease Blackmon Townsend and she journeyed home to be with Our Lord and Savior. In times like these it is difficult to express our profound sadness, but we give thanksgiving for the years we shared her life.

Born October 21, 1949 in Stanly County, North Carolina, Mary Elease, was the daughter of the late Reverend W.B.F. and Christine Davis Blackmon, Sr.

She was educated in the public schools of Stanly County and graduated in the first integrated class of Albemarle Senior High School, Albemarle, North Carolina-Class of 1967.She furthered her education at Stanly Community College where she received certification in Early Childhood Education. Prior to declining health, she was employed with B & D Print Shop. Mary Elease’s church affiliation was with Union Chapel A.M.E. Zion Church, Albemarle, where she was a former member of the Women’s Overseas Missionary Society. In her leisure, she enjoyed cooking and entertaining for the family gatherings. She especially loved frying fish which so many enjoyed.

In addition to her parents, and her husband, Terry G. Townsend, she was preceded in death by her siblings: Carolyn Rankin, Evelyn O. Williams and Willie Blackmon, Jr.

Mary Elease’s physical presence on this earth is gone, but her memory and the love she shared with family and friends will remain in the hearts of: her life partner, William D. Benson, Sr., Albemarle, North Carolina; three sons: Dexter G. (Tina) Townsend, Albemarle, North Carolina, William D. Benson, Jr., Charlotte, North Carolina and Daniel T. Benson, Albemarle, North Carolina; one daughter, Tomeika (Shawn) Baldwin, Sr., Albemarle, North Carolina; five grandchildren: Shawn D. Baldwin, Jr.,  Lyric D. Townsend, Keyzia Benson &  Rashaad D. Baldwin, all of Albemarle, North Carolina and Shawntel D. Baldwin, Charlotte, North Carolina; a brother, Gary Blackmon, Albemarle, North Carolina; a sister, Crystal Blackmon, Albemarle, North Carolina; a mother-in-law, Dorsie W. Wall, Albemarle, North Carolina; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

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