David Ray Townsend

Reverend David Ray Townsend, 84, went to be with our Lord on July 12, 2025. He was born on July 1, 1941 to the late Buford Ray Townsend and Ruby Edith Townsend. He was the first of 10 children, followed by 2 sisters and 7 brothers. They grew up on farmlands of Slaughters, Ky and you can consider yourself blessed if you ever found yourself caught in a room with him and his brothers telling stories of their early years. He was married to his loving wife, Sara Sue for 42 years and had three children Kevin, Teresa, Sheri. He served in the United States Army from 1963 to 1965 and spent most of that time stationed in Germany. He was called by God to the ministry in 1976 and became an ordained General Baptist Minister. He served God and others in ministry for over 30 years, pastoring several churches during that time. He believed and preached the saving grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and that we are all sinners and fall short but through faith and God’s grace, we are forgiven. More than anything he wanted for all to receive the gift of salvation. Secularly, he worked at ANR Pipeline Company for 29 years, moved to Mississippi as plant supervisor for the last 10 years before retiring and moving back to his farm in Kentucky. While working and pastoring, he also loved working on his farm, gardening, planting crops, in the early years managing his cows, sheep and in the later years only his horses. He loved riding his horses and riding in the wagon with a hitched team. He also loved to fish and camp in the early years of his retirement. Most of all he loved his children and grandchildren and was so proud of them all. He is preceded in death by his wife Sara Sue (Towe) Townsend, a brother Jimmy Townsend and grandparents.
He is survived by 2 daughters Teresa (Brad) Lynn of Madisonville, KY and Sheri (Brad) Shoulders of Owensboro, KY; a son Kevin (Shanna) Townsend of Providence, KY; 2 sisters Sharon Copley and Charlotte Marsh both of Slaughters, KY; 6 brothers, Larry Townsend, Michael Townsend, Roger Townsend, Darrell Townsend and Ricky Townsend all of Slaughters, KY and Jackie Townsend of Madisonville, KY; 6 grandchildren Valerie (Grant) Epperson, Aaron (Courtney) Lynn of Madisonville, KY; Bailey Townsend, Madison (Brennen) Pritchett of Providence, KY; Dylan (Hannah) Shoulders of Georgetown, KY and Hayden (Faith) Shoulders of Louisville, KY; 6 great grandchildren McKinley and Brooks Epperson, Jensen and Jase Lynn, Abrah and Sumner Shoulders and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held on Thursday July 17th, 2025 at 11am at Townsend Funeral Home in Dixon, KY. Rev. Nick Duvall will officiate. Burial will follow in Slaughters Cemetery in Slaughters, KY. Visitation will be from 4pm-8pm on Wednesday and from 8am until service time on Thursday at the funeral home. Hopkins Co. Honor Guard will perform military rites at the gravesite. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the St Jude’s Children’s Hospital 262 Danny Thomas Place Memphis, TN 38105 or the American Cancer Society PO Box 6704 Hagerstown, MD 21741. Online condolences can be made at www.townsendfuneralhomeinc.com