Marlen "Sam" Townsend

Joseph Marlen “Sam” Townsend, 85, of Double Springs, Alabama, passed away on August 6, 2026, at his residence surrounded by his loving family.

Marlen was born October 20, 1940, on the banks of the Sipsey River near Lakeshore. By the age of 13, his grandpa began calling him “Sam” as a nickname. The name stuck, and he was known as Sam Townsend for the rest of his life.

Sam was the type of person who seemingly walked through life without a care in the world, never worried, and never got in a hurry. Everyone who knew him loved his care-free personality. But his family and friends also saw in Sam a man who was never afraid of hard work. Even as a teenager, he had this quality. As a member of the Winston County High School football team, his number 27 jersey was retired when he graduated from WCHS in 1960. He was strong, athletic, and a hard worker; and that carried over into every aspect of his life. Sam owned a logging business for many years, and his hobbies were cattle farming and growing a garden every year.

He was a quiet man who lived a quiet life embodied by Christian character. He truly will be missed by his family, friends, and church family at Grace Reformed Baptist Church.

Sam is survived by his wife of 66 years, Betty Jo Townsend; daughters, Marlene (James) Hood and Brooke (Nick) Crump; son, Jake Townsend.

Grandchildren: Heath (Mallory) Hood, Blake (Jennifer) Hood, Alia (Brandon) Newell, Jakob Townsend, Seth Townsend, and Ally Crump.

Great-Grandchildren: Aubrey Hood, Isaac Hood, Eliza Hood, Jeremiah Newell, Caroline Hood, Addie Kate Newell, and Micah Newell.

Siblings: Margie (Etsel) Riddle, Ed Townsend, Jerry (Debra) Townsend, Tommy (Sonja) Townsend, and Jan (Bubba) Pigg.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Elton “Cotton” Townsend, Ruby Townsend, and Velma Townsend; grandparents, Joseph and Lucy Townsend and Ben and Gertrude Overton; brother, Ottis Townsend; sister, Martha Faye (LeRoy) Brockway; granddaughter, Vally Anna Crump.

Services will be held at 2 p.m. on Sunday, August 9 at Grace Reformed Baptist Church in Double Springs with a graveside service immediately following at New Hope Cemetery in the Kelly Mill Community. Heath Hood and James Hood will officiate. Phillip Twilley and Rusty Letson will also assist in the service. Etsel Riddle will officiate the graveside service.

Pallbearers will be Blake Hood, Isaac Hood, Brandon Williams, Matt Taylor, Brandon Newell, and Nick Crump.