Thomasena Townsend-Brown's Obituary
Thomasena “Tommie” Townsend-Brown was born in Los Angeles, CA, July 5, 1949, to Willie Lee Townsend “Bill” (d. 08/28/1969), of Haskell, OK, and Alice Savada (Griffin) Townsend-Minor “Big Momma” (d. 07/21/1997), of Kansas City, MO. From this union (m. 1943), Tommie was the youngest of seven children blessed to Bill and Big Momma, all of whom proceeded her journey to be with the Lord: Darryl Townsend (d. 1943), Edward Lee Townsend, Sr. “Fat Joe” (d. 01/18/2017), LuBertha Marie (Townsend) Govan “Aunt Sista’ ” (d. 10/29/22), Loretta Mae Townsend “Lil’ Mama” (d. 08/15/1989), Estelle Irene (Townsend) Smith “Aunt Rene” (d. 11/23/1987), Elizabeth Townsend “Cookie” (d. 1952).
At the age of two, the family decided to place Tommie under the guardianship of “Big Momma’s” only brother and sister-in-law, Rev. Levi Grant Smith (d. 09/27/2005), of Haskell, OK, and Elizabeth Thera (Givehand) Smith (d. 03/22/1991), of West Plains, MO, because “Big Momma” became ill with a severe case of tuberculosis that led to a long-term of suffering and hospitalization preventing her from caring for her children, which she loved dearly. As a result, Tommie was relocated from California to Oklahoma and raised as Thomasena Smith.
Tommie attended elementary school at Booker T. Washington (Haskell, OK) and Creston Hills (Oklahoma City, OK), F. D. Moon Junior High School (Oklahoma City, OK), then graduated from Northeast High School in 1967 (Oklahoma City, OK). She attended college at Bishop College (Dallas, TX – 1967-68), Central State College (Edmond, OK – 1970-71) and earned her Associate’s Degree in Accounting / Bookkeeping from Skradon College (San Bernadino, CA – 1997).
Tommie accepted Christ at an early age at First Baptist in Haskell, OK. She sang praises and served the Lord faithfully in various roles her entire life. In addition to First Baptist Church, she fellowshipped and served at the following churches: Douglass Baptist in Luther, OK; St. John’s Baptist in Ponca City, OK; First Charity Missionary Baptist in Compton, CA; New Mt. Calvary Baptist in Los Angeles, CA; Friendship Baptist in Rialto, CA; Trinity Baptist in Moreno Valley, CA.
At an early age, she worked in telecommunications and customer service for Southwestern Bell (Oklahoma) and Northwestern Bell (Nebraska). In 1973, at age 23, she relocated to California to reunite with her mother and siblings, which she longed for building a relationship with. In October of that same year, she began working at The Broadway Stores, Inc. in various roles (Telecommunications, Customer Service, Bookkeeping, Accounting, and HR Benefits) until her retirement in 1996. Although retired, she continued her educational dreams, then began a second career in accounting and bookkeeping at an escrow financial services firm in Redlands, CA until her second retirement in 2007.
On May 17, 2008, she married Rev. Earnest Brown Sr. (d. 08/30/2019). To this union no children were born, but she did become sister-in-law to his 12 siblings and stepmother to his four children.
On Saturday July 6, 2024, at 10:46 A.M. CT in Argyle, TX, God called Tommie home with her sons and grandchildren surrounding her with love when she took her last breath. She leaves a loving legacy to cherish her memory, two sons: Michael Grant Smith, Argyle, TX and De Andre’ Marc Gregory Townsend-Furlough, San Bernadino, CA; three daughters-in-law; three grandsons: Michael Dione Smith “Bear”, The Colony, TX, Michael Ryan Smith “Mookie”, Argyle TX and Erik Damon Boyd, Flower Mound, TX; two granddaughters: Laz’Unique LaTenee’ LaShay Furlough “LaLa”, Phoenix, AZ and Breanna Necco Stewart “Bree”, Flower Mound, TX; two great-grandchildren, 14 nephews, 14 nieces, and a host of other relatives and friends.
What’s your fondest memory of Thomasena?
What’s a lesson you learned from Thomasena?
Share a story where Thomasena's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Thomasena you’ll never forget.
How did Thomasena make you smile?