A Time to Be Born: Forty-one years ago on May 9, 1979, Johnny James Townsend Jr. “John John”, was born to Johnny James Townsend Sr. and Ruth Ann Jones.
A Time to Plant: Johnny confessed a hope in Christ at an early age. He joined Rose Hill Baptist Church under the leadership of the late Pastor Levi Patten. He was later reborn again and joined Messiah Baptist Church under the leadership of Pastor Otis Washington.
A Time to Work: Johnny worked as a professional forklift driver for many years. He found his love of fire trucks at an early age. He was only 6 years old when he began visiting the Buena Vista Fire Department nearly every day. After graduating from Buena Vista High School, he went on to become a trained EMT and volunteer Firefighter until his health began to fail.
A Time to Die: Johnny resided in Grand Rapids, Michigan. On May 22, 2020, an angel from heaven came down and picked one of God’s flowers from his earthly tabernacle.
A Time to Mourn: He leaves to cherish precious memories his mother, Ruth (Gerald) Sisson; daughter, Shania Townsend; brothers, Henry Jones of Warren, Michigan, Clarence (Libby) Jones, Derrick Townsend; sister, Tasha (Earl) Jones-Moore, Grand Rapids, Michigan; godbrother, Brian Hall, Ann Arbor, Michigan; brother from another mother, Joe Joe Berrien; godsister Seritta Torrence, Columbia, South Carolina; nephews, Jaylen (Haley) Bland, North Hills, California, O’Marion Bell, Grand Rapids, Michigan; Earl Moore Jr., Lorenzo Jones, Clarence Jones Jr., C’King Jones, Rudal Vargas; nieces, Jasmine (Josh) Culberson, Cierra Jones, Dezire Neal; special nephews, Antonyo Bell Jr., Grand Rapids, Michigan; special uncle and aunts, Willie and Grace Townsend, Minnie Long; lifelong friends, “The Twins” Marcel and Jamel Dillard, Tyson Wallace, Lacy Rogers, Veronica Roby, Grand Rapids, Michigan and Tenille Davis, Atlanta, Georgia; many other aunts, uncles, cousins, other relatives and friends.
Johnny was preceded in death by his father, Johnny Townsend Sr.; grandmothers, Vivian Long, Hattie Mae Jackson, Hattie Sisson; aunt and uncles, Willie and Mary Scott, Lem Jones; nephew, Kiley Jones; cousins, Marilyn Jones, Matthew Jones and Emmett Davis
A Time of Peace: Johnny Townsend Jr. is resting without sickness. He is with God.
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