Doris L. (Hartley) Townsend

Doris was born Doris Lanelle Hartley in Ellenton, Georgia, August 16, 1932, to Charlie O. Hartley and Jencie Pitts Hartley.  At three weeks of age her family moved to Waverly, Florida where she lived until she married Nevi Townsend on June 16, 1950.  She graduated from Lake Wales High School in 1951.  Doris was an excellent homemaker who enjoyed sewing, cooking and baking.  As the family grew older Doris worked outside of the home and decided to pursue a degree in education.  She began her college career at Kentucky Southern College after Nevi completed his seminary degree, while pastoring churches in Kentucky.

Doris graduated from Florida Atlantic University with a degree in education.  She became a school teacher and taught a total of 28 years in the Palm Beach County Public School System and in the St. Lucie County Public School System combined.  She retired in 1998.  She and her husband moved to Ocala in 1998, and from 2000 - 2011 she worked as a financial secretary at First Baptist Church of Ocala where she was a member.  She believed chocolate made everything better.  She remained a resident of Ocala until her death.

Doris and Nevi were married for 61 years until Nevi passed away in 2012.  Doris is survived by three sons, Ken Townsend, of Jupiter, Florida; Terry Townsend (Sandy) of Wellington, Florida; and Gary Townsend (Susan) of Ocala, Florida.  She is also survived by 6 grandchildren and 8 great - grandchildren.

Doris was a pastor’s wife who enjoyed singing in the choir and teaching adult women’s Bible Study classes.  Her faith was a significant part of her life.  She was a patriotic American and an avid Gator fan.  She loved decorating her home for the holidays, especially Christmas.  She loved family gatherings on any and every occasion.  She especially looked forward to spending time with the grandchildren and the great-grandchildren.

A burial service will be held at the Townsend Cemetery near Bell, Florida on Friday, July 14th, at 3:30 pm.  A Celebration of Life service will be held at 10:00 AM Saturday, July 15 at the First Baptist Church of Ocala (Fellowship Center).  In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Hospice of Marion County.

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