Mrs. Ellen Louise Townsend

Ellen L. Townsend, was born to the late Darrell and Louise Taylor on November 1, 1918 in Piqua, Ohio. She had been reared in Piqua all her life and graduated from Central High School at the age of 17. She attended Cyrene AME for the entire duration of her residence in Piqua, Ohio. She entered Wilberforce University just shy of her 18th birthday and graduated with her Associate’s Degree at the end of the Great Depression in 1938. After graduating from college, Ellen married the late Frederick Lander. Three children were born of this union (Luisa, Frederick Jr. (deceased), and Jean Lander). She divorced Frederick after 4 years of marriage and pursued her dream of servitude in the Lord by being ordained as an evangelist shortly thereafter. She met her second husband, Monty G. Townsend, Sr. while preaching a revival for his cousin in Cleveland, Ohio. She moved to Cleveland at the age of 31 and married Monty a few months later in December 1949. Three children were born of this union (Monty Jr., Cheryl, and Sandra Townsend). Since moving to Cleveland, Ellen was quite the activist when it came to civic and social affairs. She was devoted to her social work with Mount Pleasant Community Center. She always found time to help people even though she was raising 3 small children. She spent 18 years working as a case manager for the Medical Department of the Cuyahoga County Welfare System. She put in decades of volunteer work as a prison chaplain for the Cuyahoga County Workhouse. Her commitment to social equality and justice has been widely acclaimed. She felt honored to have received a letter from First Lady Hilary Clinton and had it displayed on her wall at home for years. Ellen Townsend was a woman of God and she lived for the Lord. She was known for giving words of encouragement and delivering harsh truths. Ellen wanted the best for everyone she came in contact and was known to recite bible verses and pray for someone at a moment’s notice. On September 16, 2017, Ellen was rewarded for her years of service in the Lord by being welcomed home to heaven. She lived a long eventful life, having passed away less than 2 months before her 99th birthday. She leaves to mourn her loss five children (Luisa Herbert, Jean (Phil) Payne, Monty Townsend Jr., Cheryl (Frank) Townsend-Smith, and Sandra Townsend; a special daughter in law (Yvonne Townsend); 13 grandchildren (Deej, Rashidah, Hassan, William, Brian, Craig (Katrena), Jasmine (Ryan), Robbie, Martin, Arthur (Michelle), Mistee, Monty III, and Jason); 2 honorary grandchildren; 36 great-grandchildren, and a host of other relatives and friends, along with innumerable people she has helped throughout the years.

Mrs. Ellen Louise Townsend

November 1, 1918 - September 16, 2017