Henry Willis Townsend, Jr.

Mr. Henry Willis Townsend, Jr. 79, of Yonkers, NY entered eternal rest Sunday, March 11, 2012 in New York Mr. Henry Willis Townsend, Jr. was born to the late Henry Willis Townsend, Sr. and Mary Toone Townsend (Lecoq) on August 27, 1932 in Yonkers, NY. As a young child Hank spent several years in Rehoboth, VA with his maternal grandparents. There he attended the West End School and Lunenburg County Elementary School.  When the family returned to Yonkers, he attended schools in the Yonkers Public School System. At an early age Henry was baptized at The Messiah Baptist Church in Yonkers, NY. Hank enlisted in the U.S. Air Force serving during the Korean Conflict in Korea and was honorably discharged after his tour of duty. When he returned home he joined the work force at General Motors in Tarrytown, NY working until his retirement. Henry was married to Madeline Cramer and from this union: one daughter, Linda; five grandchildren, David, Benjamin, Csniqua, Choquana and Tasha; one stepson, Michael; one granddaughter, Atia. He was predeceased by his parents, a step-father Frank Lecoq, a faithful companion Lillian Blanks; they had one daughter, Missy Gilliam (Lionel), six grandchildren, Derek, Sean, Isaiah, Shernan, Davis and LyNell. Surviving besides his children in New York, Virginia and Florida are his sister, Joan Holloway (Herbert); one niece, Lauren Bagley; a great-nephew, David Graham; two step-brothers, Joseph Lecoq and Michael Lecoq; a loving aunt, Oneda Wilson (Price), devoted cousins, Mattie Simmons, Rita Toone, Bernadette Marino and a vast number of other loving relatives and caring friends. Funeral services for Mr. Henry Willis Townsend. Jr. will be conducted 11:00 A.M. Friday, March 16, 2012 at Calvary Baptist Church, Victoria, VA with Rev. Gwendolyn Starr, officiating. Burial with military honors will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends Friday from 10:00 A.M. until service time. Arrangements are by Giles-Harris Funeral Home and Cremation Service, Chase City, VA.