Pamela Rich Townsend, age 59, passed away Friday, August 4, 2017, surrounded by her husband and children. She was a native of Florence, AL and a member of St. Michael’s Catholic Church in St. Florian. After many of years of working as Director of Human Resources for Northwest Shoals Community College, she retired. Over the last seven years, she fought cancer and defied many odds. Pam was known to those around her as being very strong, loving, and admirable. Her husband and children will always remember her as the most extraordinary wife/mother and “ninny” to her grandchildren.
Visitation will be Tuesday, August 8, 2017 from 6-8 P.M. at St. Michael’s Catholic Church. The funeral service will be held on Wednesday, August 9, 2017 at 11:30 A.M. at St. Michael’s Catholic Church. Burial will follow in Tri-Cities Memorial Gardens.
She was preceded in death by her father, Donald Lee Darby, and grandmothers, Nora Lillice Chandler and Thelma Inez Darby.
Pam is survived by her husband James Townsend of Killen, AL; children, Courtney Warden (Andy) of Killen, AL; Teddy Schell (Stephanie) of Huntsville, AL; Ryan Gattman of Sheffield, AL, and Katherine Gattman of Birmingham, AL; grandchildren, Tripp and Mckensie Schell; mother, Carolyn Dowdy (Fred); sisters, Lori Newell (Benjamin) and Donna Mock; nephews and nieces; Lane and Cade Newell, Tommy, Jay, Katy, and Libby Mock.
Pallbearers will be as follows: Benjamin, Lane, and Cade Newell; Andy Warden, Tris Peck, Jack Townsend, and Charles Glover.
Honorary pallbearers will be Fred Dowdy, Tommy and Jay Mock, and Billy Townsend.
The family would like to express a special thanks to UAB (Dr. Warner Huh), MD Anderson Cancer Center, Alacare, and Dr. Danny Martin.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made, in memory of Pam Townsend, to the Norma Livingston Ovarian Cancer Foundation (nlovca.org/donate).
