Margaret Allyne "Rusty" Townsend, 86, who grew up in Bowmore, died Friday, Sept. 6, 2013 at Southeastern General Hospital.
Born in Rockingham, N.C., she grew up in Bowmore in Hoke County, daughter of the late Lucy Wilkes Smith and John Louis Smith. She graduated from Louisburg College and went to work in Raleigh, along with her older sister Elaine. The two met and fell in love with two Rowland boys, David "Doodle" Townsend and Pete Burns. The sisters were married in a joint service in Raleigh in 1950.
She was preceded in death by her husband, her parents and her younger brother, Eugene Smith of Havelock.
She is survived by her three children, Lolita Townsend Huckaby Watson of Beaufort, Margaret A.T. Hutto (Ronnie) of Georgetown and David Townsend III (Missy) of Rowland; two grandsons, William David Black (and Danielle) of Georgetown and Charlie Watson of New Orleans; her sister, Elaine Burns of Atlanta; a sister-in-law, Elizabeth Smith of Bear Grass; a niece, Lucy Burns Cusick of Atlanta; and Hal Burns of Edenton, Johnny Burns of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, and Paden Smith of Atlanta.
Services were Monday at 2 p.m. at Rowland Presbyterian Church with Pastor Charles Monroe officiating. Burial followed in Asbury Memorial Cemetery, Raynham.
Services were coordinated by Boles Funeral Home, Rowland. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions be made to Rowland Presbyterian Church, P.O.Box 88, Rowland, NC 28383