Jean Townsend

Jean Barbe Townsend (July 27, 1927 – December 23, 2025)

Jean Barbe Townsend passed away peacefully at her home in Merritt Island, FL at age ninety-eight on December 23, 2025.

She is survived by her three children: Margaret (Peggy) Jean Townsend Cutlip (the late Trenton Cutlip), Judith Ann Townsend Briggs (husband, John Briggs) and Richard Dale Townsend (wife Candace Townsend).

Jean is grandmother to six grandchildren: Mary Stone (husband Jack Kinsey), Holly Diane Stone (husband Trevor Clark), Warren T. Cutlip (fiancé’ Patrick Hale), Mark Townsend (wife Maureen Townsend), Charles Townsend (wife Tiffany Porter Townsend), and Townsend Briggs. She was also blessed with 15 great-grandchildren, 4 great-great-grandchildren, and welcomed her first great-great-great-grandchild this ear – a remarkable and rare six generation family legacy that brought her immense joy. Additionally, she leaves behind many nieces, nephews, extended family members and friends.

Jean was born on the family farm in Jerry’s Run, WV, and grew up the only girl amongst her brother and three uncles. She often talked about her wonderful childhood on the farm where she developed a strong work ethic, independence and a lifelong love of family and home.

Jean attended Jerry’s Run Grade School and Webster Springs High School where she played on the basketball team. Her first job was at Holly River State Park when it first opened. She also worked at Cutlip’s Department Store in sales and as a buyer. She often spoke of the thrilling time when she and two other employees took the train to Baltimore, MD to make buying decisions for the store. Later, while attending Business College, she was approached about a job, applied and was hired as Payroll Clerk for Pardee and Curtin. She often spoke fondly of that period in her life.

Following WWII, Jean married her high school sweetheart, Lorn Townsend. She continued to work while he attended college, and had her first child before they moved to Virginia where they raised all three children.

Jean was always involved with her community. She was active with her children’s schools, raised money for her church and served on the board of her neighborhood association. Her sewing skills were often called upon, and she sewed many of the school clothes for her daughters and granddaughters as well as costumes for school and church plays. She loved to garden and entertain, and she was known for her annual neighborhood Christmas Party. She and her husband also loved to travel and when he retired, that’s what they did. He had learned to fly and they would often take off on an adventure to the FL Keys or the Bahamas.

In her later years, Jean divided her time between the WV farm and Florida where there were many reunions with family and friends, including her annual birthday party in July. She will be remembered for her generosity, kindness and love towards her family and everyone who knew her.

She is preceded in death by her adored parents, Bruce Barbe and Zelda Pugh Barbe; her beloved husband, Lorn G. Townsend; her siblings, Gerald Barbe and Cheryl Lynn Barbe; and her grandsons, John Gavin Townsend and Joseph Ian Townsend.

Memorial Services will be held on Saturday, January 17, 2026 at 1:00 PM at Holly River Baptist Church, Diana, with Pastor Michael Cool officiating. 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to Holly River Baptist Church of Diana, 155 McGraw Avenue, Webster Springs, WV 26288.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.doddreedfh.com.

Dodd & Reed Funeral Home is honored to be serving Jean’s family.