Rev. Donald T. Townsend Sr.

Reverend Donald Thomas Townsend Sr. was born in Russellville, KY on December 25, 1953; son to the union of the late Roy Lee & Irene Young Townsend Sr. Services will be held at First Baptist Church on Saturday, August 3, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. with Bishop Tiangello Hill and Pastor Nathl L. Moore officiating. Entombment will follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be at First Baptist Church from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. on Saturday. Donald graduated from Frankfort High School where he was active in Student Government, basketball, track/field and Cross Country. His athletic ability was recognized in April 2023, when he was inducted into the FHS Hall of Fame for his record-breaking achievement in Cross-Country. He attended Tuskegee University in Alabama, where he studied Political Science and was offered the opportunity to manage the Commodores. Don’s heart led him back to Kentucky, where he graduated from Kentucky State University with a BS in Computer Science. He attended Theological studies at Simmons Bible College. He retired from State Government with 30+ years, as a manager of State Government Technology Services and later worked with Kentucky State Police. At an early age, he confessed a hope in Christ and attended numerous church/tent Outreach events. Led by the Holy Spirit, Donald followed the Lord and answered His call to ministry in 1992, under the leadership of Rev. K.L. Moore. Reverend Townsend’s zeal for life was the following/teachings of the Lord, reading the Bible, family, church, friends, UK basketball. He loved giving the children ‘Big nickel’ or quarters are what we say and telling jokes. He possessed excellent cooking skills (once being a caterer) and could prepare anything from baked goods to preparation/curing of country hams, hot tamales, fried turkeys to barbeque. He also enjoyed fishing, of which the Lord led him to become a ‘Fisher of Men’. He never met a stranger. Pastor of Polk Memorial Baptist Church in Mortonsville, KY where he served and ministered to his flock in prayer, supplementation and reverence for God; whether they were at church, home, in-hospital, or nursing homes; you could count on Don to show-up. Affectionately known as ‘ Don’, Rev. Townsend was preceded in death by his loving & devoted wife, mother, and friend of 46+ years Alice Darnell Townsend. His parents Roy Lee & Irene Young Townsend Sr.; Siblings Jeffery, Kenneth and Donna Townsend. He leaves to mourn and cherish memories, his children Nadia (Eric) Townsend-Green, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania & Donald Thomas ‘Tom Tom’ Townsend Jr.; Siblings and ‘BFF’ Roy Lee (Paula) Townsend Jr., Etta Townsend & Martha (John) McIntosh. Brother-In-Law Charles ‘Chuck’ Darnell III, Apopka, FL. Grandchildren Maurisa, Erica, Eric K., Emaya, Eric M. & Dominick, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, dear friends and church families. Arrangements are under the direction of Harrod Brothers Funeral Home & Crematory. 23rd Psalm: The Lord Is My Shepherd: I shall not want….

Tributes

Rev. Donald T. Townsend Sr.

December 25, 1953 - July 22, 2024