Lena Mae Townsend

Lena Mae Gibbs was born on June 11, 1926, in Lauderdale, Mississippi to the union of Lang Gibbs and Ellen Dungton. She worked in the fields from an early age. She married Raymond Love on March 31, 1944 and moved to Fort Dodge to raise their family: 13 children were born to this union, seven of which preceded her in death. She enjoyed cooking at the Ethnic Preschool, and also served as Director of the Garden Project at the Urban Ministry. At one time, she supervised 21 garden plots. She later married Fred E. Townsend in August 1978. Mother Townsend attended Second Baptist Church, and was a member of the Mothers' Board, as well as a Board Member of the Urban Ministry. She also served as an advisory member of the Fort Dodge School Board and was a member of several Parent Teacher Associations. She is preceded in death by her parents; first husband, Raymond Love; second husband, Fred Townsend; infant twins, one boy, and three girls; son, Willie Love; son, Calvin Love; son, Joe Love; and grandson, Antonio Love. She leaves many to cherish her memory: brother Henry Charles Gibbs, of Las Vegas, Nevada; children: daughter Deloise Clark-Taggetz of Waterloo, IA; daughter Virginia Gail Love of Toomsuba, Mississippi; son Arthur Love, daughter Jemerial Love, both of Fort Dodge, Iowa; daughter Janice Love of Kansas City, Missouri, and son Chester Love of Chicago, Illinois; 19 grandchildren, a host of great-grand grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, extended family and friends. Mother Townsend passed away Thursday, September 29, 2016 in her home surrounded by her family. Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m. Saturday, October 8, 2016 at Second Baptist Church with Pastor Sean Roberts officiating. Burial will be at Memorial Park Cemetery. A visitation will be 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Friday at Laufersweiler-Sievers Funeral Home. Visitation Fri, Oct 7, 2016 at 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm Laufersweiler-Sievers Funeral Home 307 South 12th Street Fort Dodge, Iowa 50501 Service Sat, Oct 8, 2016 at 11:00 am Second Baptist Church