Jean Lynnette Townsend

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Jean Lynette Townsend on February 3, 2025, at the age of 82, after a years-long battle with several medical issues. Born in Jeffersonville, Indiana on April 27, 1942, Jean lived in seventeen homes in twelve cities and three states, ending up in the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex, the only place big enough to suit her larger-than-life personality. From the tips of her neon orange lacquered toes to the top of her head, crowned in red curls, Jean Townsend lived her life in technicolor.

Shortly after her birth, Jean’s parents, John and Ida Milam, moved the family to Vincennes, Indiana where Jean spent her childhood years. Though an only child, Jean grew up getting into mischief with cousins who were as close as sisters. From an early age, Jean learned the values of generosity, tenacity, zeal, and joyfulness, traits she carried through her life. Jean graduated from Vincennes Lincoln High School, where she met and fell in love with her soulmate, Mason Townsend.

Jean and Mason were married on June 12, 1960, at St. John Lutheran Church, beginning a loving partnership that would last for nearly sixty-five years until Jean’s passing. Theirs is a love story built on friendship, devotion, and mutual respect. As Mason said at their fiftieth wedding anniversary – they would do it all again. Mason and Jean built a family, which included a daughter, Tracy (Townsend) Adams, and two sons, Brad Townsend and Kip Townsend. Jean was a devoted mother, active in her children’s school, Sunday school, and extracurricular activities. She was also an energetic community member, committed to her church, friends, and neighbors.

One of Jean’s greatest joys was her grandchildren. From the first moment she met them, Jean cherished Britni (Townsend) Markland, Cortni Townsend, and Alex Adams, spoiling the girls endlessly with glittery pink cowgirl boots and more frilly dresses than they could ever wear, and Alex with Legos, games and love. Despite living in another state, Jean never missed one of Alex’s many stage performances. While Jean and Mason traveled the world – twenty-two cruises in fifteen years after retirement – visiting family was always her favorite trip. Her life became even fuller with the addition of three great-grandchildren, Miles Markland, Dexter Markland, and Aiden Adams.

In addition to her vibrant home life, Jean found considerable success in business. She shared her passion for makeup and beauty as a sales associate for Avon and Clinique cosmetics. Together with Mason, she helped build a thriving business, culminating in a gifting empire of twenty-two Hallmark stores across Texas. As a professional buyer, Jean was able to leverage her impeccable taste and eye for value to support the business. She was always ahead of the trends and eager to share her treasures, Precious Moments, Beanie Babies, and Vera Bradley, to name a few.

In her spare time, Jean strived to make the world a more colorful place from her meticulous cross-stitch creations to her vibrant personal style. She will be remembered for her generosity, her compassion, and her ability to light up a room. Jean never missed an occasion to give a gift or, especially, to send a card. She was also an avid reader, devouring romance novels faster than her Freedent gum or lemon drop martinis. Jean was dedicated to her family, her friends, and her church. She truly loved life and loved people. The world is a brighter place for having had her in it.

Jean was predeceased by her parents, Ida and John, and by her son, Brad.

She is survived by her husband of 64 years, Mason Townsend; daughter, Tracy Adams and husband, Lance Adams; son, Kip Townsend and wife, Michelle Townsend; grandchildren, Britni Markland, Cortni Townsend, and Alex Adams; and great-grandchildren, Miles Markland, Dexter Markland, and Aiden Adams.

Services: Visitation 11:00 a.m. - 12:45 p.m., Friday, February 28, 2025; following by her Memorial Service at 1:00 p.m.,, at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 1800 W. Freeway., Fort Worth, Texas 76102.