Robert Earl Townsend, 72, of Cleveland and formerly of Calhoun, died Wednesday, April 5, 2017 at his home.
He was a native of McMinn County and was the son of the late Earl and Frances Evans Townsend. He was also preceded in death by his first wife Patricia Faye Frazier Townsend and a son David Townsend.
He was a member of Calhoun Baptist Church and was a Railroad Conductor for CSX, retiring after 20 years of service.
He is survived by his former wife of 12 years, Sheila Shaffer Townsend of Cleveland, TN; three sons and daughters-in-law, Robert E. II and Ashton Townsend of Signal Mountain, TN, Michael and Denise Townsend of Sweetwater, and Joseph Patrick and Sabra Townsend of Indianapolis, IN; nine grandchildren; and a sister and brother-in-law, Betty and Raymond Swafford of Calhoun.
A funeral service will be conducted,4:00 pm, Saturday, April 8, 2017 , in the chapel of Smith Funeral Home with Rev. Bruce Vincent, and Rev. Donald Harris officiating. Interment will follow in Shell-Guffey Cemetery. The family will receive friends Saturday from 2-4 pm at the funeral home prior to the service.
Pallbearers will be Donald Fugate, Joe Burns, Lance Milner, Phillip Burdett, Daniel Swafford and Tim Frazier. Honorary pallbearers will be Bobbie Davis, Larry Hicks, Raymond Swafford, Billy Green and Donald Harris.