A celebration of life for Mr. Edward Lee Towns, 78 of Hillsboro, Alabama will be 2 PM Tuesday, December 29, 2020 at Canaan Missionary Baptist Church in Hillsboro, Alabama with the Reverend Ronald Merriweather officiating. Inhumation and committal service will be 1:00 PM Wednesday, December 30, 2020 at Good Hope Baptist Church Cemetery in Sardis, Alabama.
Mr. Edward Lee Towns had an indomitable spirit. He was born in Sardis, (Dallas County) Alabama on September 29, 1942 to William O’Neal and Rena Belle Peeples Towns. Affectionately called Ed, he was the fifth of thirteen children.
Accepting Christ at an early age, Edward joined Good Hope Baptist Church in Sardis, Alabama. From childhood, his passion for singing was evident. As children, he and his brothers sang in a gospel group known as the Silver Stars that was managed by his father. He enjoyed singing the praises of God, particularly at church and family gatherings. After graduating from Shiloh High School, he moved to Detroit, Michigan where he often frequented Motown and on rare occasions was used as a back ground singer. “Mr. Towns,” as many fondly called him, faithfully attended Canaan Missionary Baptist Church and enjoyed using his melodious gift to sing in the Adult and Male Choirs. Several of his favorite songs were, “Two Wings,” “I’m A Living Testimony,” “Run ‘n Tell That,” and “God is Good to Me.” He was also a member of the Brotherhood auxiliary.
His work ethic was impeccable; retiring from General Motors after 35 years of service, of which the last couple of years, he was employed as a tool maker at the Delphi Plant in Decatur, Alabama. He was a member of Local 22 UAW, Detroit, Michigan.
On October 3, 1964, Edward was united in Holy Matrimony to Mary Alice McDowell. To their union two children were born. April 20, 2002, he married Peggy Allen.
Preceding him in death were his parents; sisters, Georgia Towns and Velma Bender and brother, Theodore Towns.
In addition to his wife of eighteen years, Edward is survived by his three children Sherina (Karlan) Jackson, Southfield, Michigan, Crystal (Julian) Amedee, Woodstock, Georgia, and Gregory (Pamela) Towns, Dacula, Georgia; a step daughter, Latrisha Peterson, Jonesboro, Georgia; his grandchildren, JaJuan Jackson, Jamarm Jackson, Janita Jackson, Jenna Taylor, Brendon Towns, Faith Towns, Alyssia Amedee, Alyssiya Allen, and Nickoles (Becky) Smith; six great grandchildren; siblings, Alberta Worshem, William (Audrey) Towns, Ruby Fuller, Cilvester (Joanna) Towns, Andrew (Michelle) Towns, Curtis (Sarah) Towns, Lewis (Sonya) Towns, Randolph (Michelle) Towns, Lynn (Rodney) Williams; brothers in law, Oscar Bender, George (Rosemary) Allen, Jr, and James (Linda) Allen; sisters in law, Emma Towns; Emma Allen, Susie Allen, Petrina Allen, and Cynthia Allen; uncle, Sammy Towns; and a host of special nieces, nephews, other relatives and extended family.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Ed’s memory to:
Canaan Missionary Baptist Church Scholarship Fund
c/o Jesse Byrd
294 Kirby Road
Hillsboro, Alabama 35643
$CanaanMBCHillsboro
