Rev. Benny Joe Townsend

FUNERAL HOME

East Lawn Elk Grove Mortuary

9189 East Stockton Boulevard

Elk Grove, California

Benny Townsend Obituary

TOWNSEND, Rev. Benny Joe
Jan 8, 1942-March 21, 2007 Born in Silo, Oklahoma and passed in Sacramento with his family by his side after a courageous battle with pneumonia. Preceded in death by 3 children, Terry Joe, Benny Joe Jr., and Becky Jo-Lyn. Survived by devoted wife of 44 years, Jackie; daughters Cyndi & Lisa; and by grandchildren Anthony, Alyx, Tony and Nathan. Also survived by 3 brothers, 3 sisters and many nephews and nieces. In his early years as a minister he led a prison ministry in Chino, CA. He was the former pastor of First Baptist Church in Calistoga, Grove Street Baptist Church, Elk Grove and Florin Baptist Church, Sacramento. Benny was loved by many and will be so very missed. Visitation to be held Tuesday, March 27 from 2:00 until 8:00 PM and services on Wednesday, March 28 at 2:00 PM. Both to be held at South East Lawn, 9189 East Stockton Blvd., Elk Grove, CA.

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Published by The Sacramento Bee from Mar. 25 to Mar. 27, 2007.

Memories and Condolences
for Benny Townsend

11 Entries

Joyce Greene

March 29, 2007

Benny, what a blessing you were to our family. The brother I never had and a father figure to my kids. I will always remember our pinochle games & how you & DuWayne complained because Jackie & I won so much. I know you were so glad to see your kids, your Mom & Dad, DuWayne, Preston, Phyllis and many others and most of all our Lord & Savior. Until we meet again you will be forever in our hearts. Love, Teddy

Camille Haney

March 28, 2007

To the Townsend family,
I am at a loss for words to express the sadness I feel at your loss! I have many fond memories over the years sharing mine and my children's lives with your family. I feel about your family as if it were my own. I feel like I have lost part of my own family. Please know that my thoughts and prayers are with you during this trying time. I will cherish the memories I have of Benny and his humor and funny antics over the years. I love you all. Love Camille

stephanie turner

March 28, 2007

hi benny.
i just wanted to say a couple of things i wasnt able to say to you while you were here. i love you. you are an outstanding person. an inspiring pastor. a perfect father. a loving soulmate. just an amazing goofy fun person to know or just to be around. everyone loves and misses you so much! i will see you in the clouds. i love you. and im sorry we didnt get the chance to get to know eachother better.
love stephanie.
ps. this isnt the ugly one.

melissa turner

March 28, 2007

Benny i will miss you so much! You were loved by so so many people! You will be forever missed and cherished. This has been so hard on everyone, especially Jackie but everyone is here for her always. And we know you will forever be in her heart! Although i didnt really know you i know you were a wonderful person and taught so many people about God! You will be in our hearts, thoughts and prayers forever. Until we meet again, Love Melissa.

Cyndi Zuniga

March 28, 2007

a letter to my dad

i sat next to your bedside, begging you to stay, holding your hand. i wondered when was the last time i held your hand. when i felt unsafe? was i unsure? when i needed your strength, was i scared? then i realized it didnt matter whe i reached for your hand, you have been there all along. always. how can i let go of that? a man who walked on water to his grandkids. a man who would walk through fire for his kids. a man who would lay down his life for his wife. a man with more integrity, compassion, honesty and love i have never known. of course you werent all that great when i was sixteen. i guess you just got better with age. you didnt really have to take my bedroom door, i would have stopped slamming it eventually. you didnt have to take those huge speakers (the ones you bought) i would have "TURNED DOWN THAT STEREO!!!!!!!!!" eventually. and dad you didnt really have to run outside with that big shot gun because you heard a boy at my window. you couldn't grab a robe, even moms? you looked like some kind of HILLBILLY SUPERHERO. no one in the neighborhood had to wonder BOXERS OR BRIEFS?? and taking away my little blue car, for a minor traffic infraction,was cruel and unusual punishment, definatly. I stomped all the way to school. Chasing me out of the house was more than uncalled for. How did i know you were so scared of snakes! Or that your nose was burried so deep in the bible that you didnt hear me behind you. It was something though seeing a grown man come up off thath chair about three feet. I'm glad mom was there to see it. She was saying run Cyndi run! AS IF you could have caught me! I think og these things as im holding your hand. I know its time for you to go. Im just not ready. I think you want to tell me something but the tube in your mouth makes it impossible. So i tell you its ok I will miss you, but i will be ok. But still you look so worried,with your brows pushed together, pleading with your eyes for me to understand. So i tell you i will take care of mom. And your face finally relaxes, and you close your eyes. Thank you dad for the time we had together, i will cherish it always. Thank you for the things you taught me, and the lessons i've learned. I especially thank you for giving me your sense of humor, to help me through this sad time.
P.S. it was LISA who polished your toenails! Love, Cyndi.

Cathy Castilone

March 27, 2007

Dear Townsend family,

I am so very saddened by the news of Benny's passing. I just found out and am so sorry. I know at times like these it is so hard to say any words that will comfort each of you. Although he is gone from your sight he will forever be in your heart. Remember all the special memories you have and know that he is safe in God's care now. Please know that you will all be in our thoughts and prayers. You have been blessed with such a wonderful family, so much love and support. How lucky you all are.
Love,
Cathy Castilone

Myrna Gregory

March 27, 2007

I am so sorry for your loss. I hope you find comfort in happy memories, and the knowledge that Benny is with his Lord.

Lisa Townsend

March 27, 2007

Dad, I miss you so much, I have always been daddys little girl. I couldnt have asked for a better father, there is no better. Nathan and I will forever be grateful to have had such a wonderful, loving dad and papa. We love you and miss you, till we meet again daddy, Love Always, Lisa and nathan

Jackie Townsend

March 26, 2007

Dear Benny, I love you today, yesterday, and forever. You are my soul mate - I know you will be waiting for me in heaven. What a wonderful day that will be for all of us being together and with God.

Dawn McElreath

March 25, 2007

Benny and his family were like a surrogate family to me. I was always invited over for Holidays, church, and even a ride home from school. Benny will always be in our hearts. When I need a good laugh or just a smile when I think of Benny's caveman grunt greetings when I walked into the door. Benny didn't talk a lot but when he did our ears would perk and we paid close attention to his words. All would be quiet because we had to absorb his words. His impact on me will be forever imprinted on my heart.

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