Grace Laverne McMullen

Grace Townsend McMullen, age 91, went home to be with her Heavenly Father on April 21, 2023.  She passed peacefully surrounded and loved by her daughters.  She was born to William and Viola Andrews February 7, 1932 in Ore City, Texas, and remained a devoted daughter and sister to a large family.

She married Glenn Townsend in 1952 and eventually made their home in White Oak, Texas to raise her family.  Grace was a longtime employee for Drs. Vaughan, Coleman, and Edmondson.  She retired in 1968 which gave her ample time to volunteer at her children’s school activities, stay heavily involved in Emmanuel Baptist Church, and enjoy her love of books and her lifelong love of gardening.

Grace was the matriarch of a large extended family.  She was preceded in death by her parents, husbands, Glenn Townsend and Jerry McMullen, 6 brothers and sisters, and her beloved son Ronnie Townsend.  She is survived by brother, James Andrews and wife Wanda, sister-in-law Joy Andrews, brother-in-law Ray Towsend and wife Kay, sister-in-law Shirley Stewart of Oklahoma, daughters Debbie Giles of Dallas, Glenda Sperier and husband Pat of Ore City, Karen Townsend of Ore City, 9 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren, and countless nieces and nephews.  Special thanks to Stephanie Brimer for her loving and tender care of our mother.

Grace lived a daily reminder of her Christian faith to all and especially each generation of her family.  She exemplified determination, a relentless work ethic, and the need to always be available to the needs of others.  

We will miss her forever, but rejoice that she is in Heaven with Jesus and those she loved and missed dearly.

There will be a visitation held on Friday, April 28, 2023 from 6 to 8 in the evening at Croley Funeral Home in Gladewater, Texas.  A funeral service will be held on Saturday, April 29, 2023 at 10 o'clock in the morning at Cedar Springs Baptist Church in Ore City, Texas.