A funeral service celebrating the life of Marion "Gray" Townsend will be held at 12:00 noon on Tuesday, December 28, 2021 at the First Baptist Church of Bunkie with the Revs. Mark Robinson, Charles Blackman and Tim Everett officiating.  A family burial will follow shortly afterwards in the Pythian Cemetery.  Arrangements are under the direction of Hixson-Ducote Funeral Home of Bunkie.

Marion Belmont Townsend passed away on December 25, 2021 at the age of 88.

Marion was born to James Augustus "Gus" Townsend and Pearl Durham Townsend on December 12, 1933 in Bunkie, LA.  He graduated from Bunkie High School and went on to earn a Chemistry and Math degree from Louisiana College.  He was a life-long resident of Bunkie, LA and a local farmer.  As a member of First Baptist Church, he served as a Deacon and Sunday School teacher.

In addition to being a dedicated and loving husband, father and grandfather, Marion also loved camping, sailing, hunting, fishing, and tennis.  He was a true outdoorsman, and he held an unwavering faith in God, which he shared with those who surrounded him.

In 1960, Marion met Peggy Ruby, a match truly made in heaven.  Marion married Peggy on September 17, 1960 and went on to have three sons: Thomas and his wife Sandra of Baton Rouge; Byron and his wife Suzannah of Santa Rosa Beach, FL; and Ralph and his wife M'Lee of Abita Springs.  He is also survived by granddaughters, Isabelle and Ella Townsend; step-grandsons, Alex and Harrison Fruge; his brothers, James Townsend (Ruth) and Carlton Townsend (Fran); and step-siblings, Laura Meeker Sanders (Ed), Johnny Meeker (Monica), Don Meeker (Ruth) and Sammy Meeker (Charlene).

He is preceded in death by his parents and Ruby Meeker Townsend.

Friends may visit on Tuesday, December 28, 2021 from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service at 12:00 noon at the First Baptist Church of Bunkie.

Memorials may be made in memory of Marion to Casa Aleluya, P.O. Box 12764, Lake Charles, LA  70612.

Online condolences may be sent to www.hixson-ducote.com