Joyce Damon Townsend of Jonesboro, Arkansas departed this earth for her eternal home on August 16, 2021 after a courageous battle with cancer at the age of 92. Joyce was born on January 8, 1929 in Blytheville, Ark., the eldest of three sisters to Eula Childress and Emil Mallinckrodt Damon.

Joyce married Edward Downs Townsend on February 12, 1950, and they had four children, Mark, Matthew, Scott, and Robin.

Upon graduating high school in Blytheville, she attended universities in Conway, Ark., Cape Girardeau, Mo., Memphis, Tenn., Mississippi County Community College in Blytheville and Arkansas State University in Jonesboro. She received degrees in Medical Terminology, Elementary Special Education, and did graduate work in Rehabilitation Counseling.

She worked as director of the laboratory and x-ray department at the Chickasawba Hospital in Blytheville, at the time of it's opening. She also worked as a special education teacher in Jonesboro and Blytheville, and in later years, with her late husband, owned and operated the Tropical Corner Pet Store in Jonesboro for 20 years.

She enjoyed serving as a volunteer with many organizations including the St. Bernard's Auxiliary, the NEA Baptist Auxiliary, the Northeast Arkansas Humane Society, The American Red Cross, CASA, the Museum and Garden Club among others. She was a retired proctor and life member of the Mensa organization, serving as the Arkansas representative, Craighead County Master Gardeners, and a life member of the Craighead County Historical Society. She was a member of St. Mark's Episcopal Church and the Jonesboro Chapter of the DAR.

Joyce was preceded in death by her husband, Edward Townsend, her son Mark Townsend, and her parents Emil and Eula Damon.

Joyce is survived by her children, sons Matthew (Marilyn) Townsend of Jonesboro, Scott (Marie) Townsend of Manila, and her daughter, Robin (Jerry) Gasaway of Jonesboro. She is also survived by her grandchildren: Tara Townsend Thomason, Aaron (Amanda) Townsend, and Abby (Blake) Powell all of Jonesboro, and Scott (Tiffany) Townsend, Jr. of Manila, Tonya (Trey) Poteat of Maumelle and Jessica (Brandon)Cain of Jonesboro. And was loved dearly by 15 great grandchildren.

Including survivors are her sisters, Nancy Litten of Shalimar, Florida, and Emily Davis of Memphis and her nieces and nephews.

Also surviving are her God-daughter, Alia Hogan of Memphis, Karin and Jerry Brewer of Ocala, Florida and special family friends.