The spirit of our beloved Etheria C. Townsend, husband, father, and pawpaw, departed this life on May 25, 2020 after suffering a stroke.

He was preceded in death by his father, Etheria Townsend, of St. Louis, MO; his mother, Alice McDaniel Townsend, of St. Louis, MO; and his brother, Sylvester Townsend, of St. Louis, MO.

Carl as he was called by his family and friends, was born Etheria Carl Townsend on May 22, 1947 in St. Louis, MO. Carl was born to the union of Etheria and Alice McDaniel Townsend. Carl was educated in the St. Louis Public School system and was a proud graduate of Soldan High School, class of 1966. Carl was a fierce football player and would later pass that love and athleticism on to his son. Carl served in the United States Army, military rank of Private. In 1973, he began working at Chrysler Corporation in Fenton, MO, where he worked for more than 35 years; retiring in 2008. Carl made lifelong friends during his time there.

Carl enjoyed sports, barbecuing and hanging with friends. He loved watching his son play and later coach football. He loved trips to Cairo, IL or the “country” as he called it. It was during one of those trips that he met his wife, Alice Parker. They would marry on June 18, 1978 and to this union; one son was born, Nigel Etheria Carl Townsend. Nigel himself would become a strong presence on the football field and Carl would be right there.

Carl had a smile and a laugh that would fill the room. During retirement, he frequently made trips to Cairo, riding his 4-wheeler and hanging with his brother-in-law, Austin. Family and friends will always remember him as a stern but loving man, a good provider and a loving person. If you needed him, he was right there to help. He was strong-willed. He was proud of his son and loved his grandchildren tremendously. You could always find him in one of his chairs, both watching television and drinking Sunny D or on the front porch whistling to signal to the kids that a car was coming.

Carl is survived by his wife, Alice Townsend, of St. Louis, MO; his son, Nigel E.C. (Deidre) Townsend, of St. Louis, MO; and his grandchildren; Mya A. Stanley, Ryleigh A. Townsend and Malcolm E.C. Townsend, all of St. Louis, MO; his brother Nathaniel Townsend, niece Brandee (Earles) Redmond, and great-nieces; Bria Redmond and Bailee Redmond. He leaves to cherish his memory a host of relatives and friends.

The family will host a drive-through memorial on Saturday, May 30, 2020; from 1 p.m.-3 p.m. at the family’s home. Please contact Deidre Townsend for information (mrstownsend0316@gmail.com) or (314-401-1640).