Decatur Co. TN
From Lillye Younger, The History of Decatur County Past and Present (Southhaven, MS: Carter Printing Company, 1978).
Special thanks to Constance Collett for permission to make these web pages.In Memory of Lillye Washburn Younger 1912-1998.
Thanks to www.tnyesterday.com for contributing this transcription.
Max L. Townsend, born June 29, 1927, son of Mahlon and Emma Odle Townsend is one of six sons and a daughter. His brothers are Edwin, a lawyer in Parsons, Wayne, A Chevrolet dealer in Parsons, M.N. an associate of Townsend Chevrolet Company, Lynn, an attorney of Knoxville and Mrs. Evelyn Townsend Maxwell, housewife, of Parsons.
A graduate of Parsons High School, he attended Union University in Jackson where he was a member of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon, editor and photographer of the college newspaper and a member of the Drama Club.
After college he engaged in the newspaper field, serving as a publisher and Editor of the Parsons News Leader and president of the Parsons Printing Company. He is a member and director of the Tennessee Press Association and the Editor's Association.
Our subject is from one of the leading families in this section and is a strong democrat.
He was married to Julia (Judy) Annice Garner, daughter of Jesse Lee and Daisy Phillips Garner of Lexington, October 12, 1952.
The couple are the parents of two daughters, Marilyn Gale Rosson, and Viola Davis and a son, Jerry Wayne Townsend. They are the grandparents of four grandchildren, Bradley Wayne and Shaunda Gale Goodman, Christy Annette Baugus and Heather Michelle Townsend.
Judy was born November 11, 1935 at Leapwood in McNairy County. She has two sisters, Mrs. Mary Jones of Parsons and Mrs. Elwanda Powers of Lexington and a brother, J. L. Garner Jr. of Richfield Springs, New York.
She attended Elementary school at Selmer, Lexington High School and graduated from Parsons High School. She attended Bethel College and has taken Extension college courses.
In the occupational field she was an employee of Salant and Salant, Inc. from 1954 until 1956 and later began work as a casual laborer, doing odd jobs at Parsons Printing Corporation in 1956. Within six months she could operate every piece of equipment in the shop with the exception of the Linotype Machine. Presently she is employed as bookkeeper of the company. She has served as Society Editor, Advertising Manager and edited a column called "Judy's Jots". In 1963 she became vice president and treasurer of the corporation and associate editor of the Parsons News Leader. Other requirements include layout, sales advertising, photography and special writing plus public relations. The couple purchased the printing firm from Edwin Townsend and now are the sole owners.
Mrs. Townsend received a State Award in Advertising Promotion in 1958. The Civic minded club woman belongs to the Business and Professional Women's Club, which received three national awards under her leadership, V.F.W. Ladies Auxiliary where she served as State Public Relations Chairman, and District Historian.
A member of Parsons Order of the Eastern Star she served as Worthy Matron and many other offices and was appointed to serve as Chairman of the Grand Chapter Courtesy Committee in 1961, being the youngest chairman in the state. She is charter member of the Decatur County Past Matrons club and is a member of West Tennessee Gaval Club. She served as Girl Scout Leader, Decatur County Welfare Advisory committee, was cochairman of the Decatur County Nursing Scholarship Fund and served two years as president of Decatur County Youth Center. A charter member of the Parsons Jaycettes, she served as chaperon to Miss Tennessee Pageant for Jaycee's entry twice. She is also a member of the Nathaniel A. Wesson Chapter of United Daughters of the Confederacy.
Her political record includes serving on the Decatur County Democratic Executive Committee, charter member of Decatur County Democratic Woman's Club, membership in Tenn. Federation of Democratic Woman, and Young Democrats of Decatur County of Women by Governor Ray Blanton.
Recently she was appointed to the Tenn. Commission on the Status of Women, a member of the Central Church of Christ she served as Bible and Sunday School teacher.
Among the honors she has received are Outstanding Tennessean 1975, Decatur County Woman of the Year 1970, Decatur County Woman of Achievement, 1976-77, Membership and Spot-Lite Awards, Democratic Women Club, 1974-75, Personalities of the South 1972-3-4-5 editions, Dictionary of International Biographies 1974, World's Whose Who of Women 1975-76 Colonel Aide de Camp Governor Ray Blanton.
Hobbies of the personality are oil painting, Bowling, Needlework, Genealogical Research, Coin and Stamp collecting and Decoupage.
Compiled by Ms. Judy Townsend
