Mrs. Joanne Townsend

Evangelist Joanne Townsend was born on Tuesday, August 7, 1956 in the city of Chicago in the state of Illinois. She was born to her parents Mr. Andrew Bradley and Mrs. Alice Harris (James) Lockett whom preceded her in death. She was also preceded in death by her beloved husband Bishop Dr. Jackie H. Townsend, Sr., siblings, Willie (Rose) Howell, Eddie Lee Howell, Clarence “Omar” Lockett, Terry Lockett McMurray, Jerry Lockett, Roberta M. Lockett Chanerl, Mother-in-law, Mother Inez Townsend and a God Daughter, Ms. Markia A. Ivy. As Joanne grew in Chicago, Illinois, her mother started her and all of her siblings singing at an early age. Joanne was six years old. She also recalled a time her oldest sister brought a gentleman to the house to hear her sing. This gentleman wanted her to sing the lyrics of the song “The Touch of You”, which was later recorded by Martha and the Vandellas. At the age of twelve years old, Joanne and her family moved to Shipman, Illinois. Here she met a young girl, Ms. Lena Huddleston and they became lifetime friends. Joanne attended church at First Community Baptist Church in Shipman, Illinois under the leadership of Reverend John Savage. Her face would often light up when she spoke of Reverend Savage and the First Community Baptist Church in Shipman. She had a great love and respect for the Pastor and the church. She served as the Choir Director while a member at the church. While attending First Community Baptist Church, a gentleman named Mr. White had a recording studio in Jerseyville, Illinois and he asked her to come to the studio so he could record her singing professionally. Her reply to him was that she needed a partner. In 1974, Joanne graduated from Bunker Hill High School and she and her family then moved to Edwardsville, Illinois. One day while visiting her oldest sister, Joanne heard a man singing while mowing the grass nearby. This man sounded like Sam Cook, and she thought to herself “That’s My Partner” that I need to sing with. That man was the one and only Jackie H. Townsend but they never went to the studio. On July 28, 1975 Joanne Lockett married the love of her life, Jackie H. Townsend. Sister Joanne and Bishop Jack have three children. She loved her family and did not fail to let them know they need the Holy Ghost!!! In 1978 at the age of 21, Sister Joanne gave her life to Christ and was baptized and filled with the Holy Ghost under the leadership of Bishop Ray and Mother Ethel Lindsey at the Church of God In Christ Congregational in Edwardsville, Illinois. In 1982 she acknowledged that she was called into the ministry and has been preaching the gospel as the Lord called her to do for 43 years. She remained faithful to the Lord for 46 years. Sister Joanne has served faithfully and held several positions at Mt. Hebron Fellowship COGICC under the leadership of Bishop Fred A. Willis, Sr., Presiding Bishop Jackie H. Townsend, Sr., and presently Pastor Jesse D. Jackson, Sr. Sister Joanne has held positions such as Sunday School Teacher, Usher, State Supervisor Aid Leader, Assistant Pastor’s Wife, Pasto’s Wife Bishop’s Wife and National First Lady. She always enjoyed working in the “Bizarre” held at Mt. Hebron Fellowship created by Missionary Cheryl Corley. Sister Joanne’s greatest joys came from helping and serving others while she never wanted to do anything to bring attention to herself. She was fine working in the background. Sister Joanne has always had the help and support of her husband and therefore she was able to be a caregiver/caretaker for her mother Mrs. Alice Lockett, mother-in-law Mother Inez Townsend, her sister, Sister Terry McMurray, brothers Jerry Lockett and Eddie Howell. She has been like a two by four (2 x 4) for her family. The bible tells us that charity begins at home and Sister Joanne did just that. She started with her family first by letting them know they needed the Holy Ghost and teaching them about salvation while she served as a mom, a second mom, a grandmother, an adviser, an encourager, a mentor, and an up lifter to all those that would receive her. She has always been known for her loyal, thoughtful, giving, kind, and compassionate spirit. “Laughter is good for the soul”- Sister Joanne loved to laugh and her laughter would sometimes become contagious. She had some favorite says which were “We can’t be so heavenly-minded until we are no earthly good” along with “What I say to one I say to all”. Sister Jo as she was fondly called had a great love for people, especially the young people and always wanted to see everyone active and taking part in the church. She felt if everyone was taking part they would feel a part. She has a legacy of professionalism and service that sets a standard for all to achieve as they work toward their goals in life even in the church. For a few years, Sister Joanne worked full-time for the IRS. In August 2004, while yet working full-time, she pursued a higher education and earned a Bachelor of Science to prove to her children that they can achieve any dream or goal if they put their minds to it. In 2005, she landed another full-time position with the IRS as a Tax Fraud Investigative Assistant. In May 2012, Sister Joanne transferred to the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement as a Senior Grant Management Specialist until she retired in December 2023. She was responsible for eleven different states where she would oversee the funding (auditor) and trained the state recipients on how to manage and handle federal funds. She received several Monetary Awards, Certificates, and Star Awards on her job. She attended and facilitated approximately 400-500 webinars. As Sister Jo continued to pursue he education, she received an MBA January 14, 2009, Master’s in Accounting on December 19, 2010, and on September 11, 2014 she received a Master’s in Financial Accounting and Financial Management. She never failed to give God the Glory for this was only possible through the “Help of the Lord”! National First Lady Evangelist Sister Joanne Townsend leaves to cherish her memories: her children, Graylan “Monte” (Felecia) Alexander, Emmabelle Marie Townsend both of Alton, Ill, Jackie H. Townsend, Jr. of Edwardsville, Ill and daughter-in-law, Rachel Townsend of Fresno, CA; brothers, Donald Lockett of St. Louis, MO, Tommie Lockett of Houston, Texas, sister-in-law, Henrileen Price of Grand Rapids, MI; cousin, Roger Mae Gray, of Chicago, Ill, 19 grandchildren, 16 great-grands, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, church family and all those who loved her.

Mrs. Joanne Townsend

August 7, 1956 - December 31, 2024