Funeral services for Mrs. Idell Townsend, age 81, of Carthage, TX, will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, Feb. 4, 2010, at Jimerson-Lipsey Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Arnold Shrewsbury officiating. Interment will follow in Adams Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. on Wednesday at the funeral home. Mrs. Townsend passed away on Monday morning, Feb. 1, 2010, in Carthage.

Ruby Idell Flowers Townsend was born on Nov. 14, 1928, in McComb, Mississippi to Roby Inmon and Marie Watts Flowers. Mrs. Townsend graduated from Sicily Island, LA High School. She married Nolan Odell Townsend on Apr. 3, 1953, and he preceded her in death in 2000. Mrs. Townsend was a Baptist. She moved to Carthage in 1976, from Shreveport. She was also preceded in death by her parents and two brothers, Ray and H.L. Flowers.

Mrs. Townsend is survived by three sons, Mickey Townsend and wife Rhonda, Lonnie Townsend and wife Darla, and Charlie Townsend all of Carthage; one daughter, Tracey Cole and husband Mike of Carthage; one brother, Gerald Flowers and wife Connie of Klamath Falls, Oregon; two sisters, Karon LaFont and husband Don of Onalaska and Rita Brady and husband Richard of DeRidder, Louisiana; twelve grandchildren; and fifteen great-grandchildren. Numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, and many friends also survive Mrs. Townsend.

Serving as pallbearers are Mrs. Townsend's grandsons, Daniel, Joshua, Jim, Kasey, Jason, and Ronnie Townsend.

Serving as honorary pallbearers are Joshua Keen and Bo Ritter.

If desired, memorials may be made to Heart's Way Hospice, 437 W. Panola, Carthage, TX 75633.

A guestbook may be signed online at www.jimerson-lipsey.com.