Jeannie Townsend

Jeannie O’line Townsend was born on May 15, 1955, in Kansas City, Missouri to Willa Mae Cooper & Leon Rucker.  She departed this life at St. Luke’s East Hospital on Wednesday, February 3, 2021.

She received her education from the Kansas City, MO School district attending Booker T. Washington Elementary and Lincoln High Schools.

At an early age she was married to Robert C. Jordan and attended Evangelist Temple COGIC. To this union 3 sons were born. She was later joined in marriage to Donald Townsend.

She began working at an early age for Consolidated Cab Company as a dispatcher.  She also held positions at Able One Answering Service, Children’s Mercy Hospital as a PBX Operator, Security Secretary and PBX Supervisor (CMH South), and St. Luke’s Hospital as Admissions Clerk where she worked until her health began to fail her.  Jeannie believed in keeping busy and held many other part-time positions through-out her life.

Jeannie accepted Christ at an early age at Ward Chapel AME Church. She later reunited her relationship with Christ at Olive Branch Missionary Baptist Church where she served faithfully for the past 30+ years.  During her time here she acted as Sr. Usher President (20+ years), Coordinator over several annual days such as Family & Friends Day, Pastor & Wife Anniversary, & Men & Women’s Day but to name a few. She was a faithful member who attended Sunday School, Bible Study and Church Services. For many years she taught youth Sunday School & Bible Study. If ever you were looking for her, she could be found at the church – serving the Lord in whatever capacity she could.  She enjoyed fellowshipping with her church family.

She was preceded in death by her Maternal Grandparents: Fanny & Will Patrick; Paternal Grandparents: Mary & Gulick Rucker; Mother; Willa Mae Cooper, a brother Sherman Rucker; uncles: James Patrick, Hubert Rucker, Alonzo Rucker, Wiley Rucker, Hubbard Rucker, and a companion Cornelius Antwine.

She leaves to cherish her memories her husband: Donald Townsend; her Father: Leon Rucker (Anna Jean); her children: Robert Jordan (Sandy), Carlos Jordan, Anthony Jordan, LaShonda Didlo (Sean), Lugenia Antwine (Antwan), Donald Townsend Jr (Tonya), DaShon Townsend (Jennie), and Dontae Townsend; her sisters: Joyce Canady, Jennifer Dennis, and Frenchelle Harrison (Keith); her brothers: Leon Rucker Jr (Shirley), Sherwood Rucker (Leta), Richard Rucker (Tina), Christopher Rucker (Dora), and Bryan Rucker (Janae). She leaves 33 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren, a host of nieces, nephews, great nieces & nephews, and great-great nieces & nephews, cousins & friends.  She also leaves her dearest and lifelong friends Linda Lymon and Carla Johnson.

Due to COVID-19, please respect social distancing and face covering guidelines. Temperature checks will be enforced.

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