Obituary for Ruth Rich Townsend

BUNKIE – Ruth Rich Townsend was called to her heavenly home to
meet her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ on March 15, 2026 at the age of
93.
Funeral services for Ruth Rich Townsend will be held on March 21,
2026, at 11:00 a.m. at First Baptist Church, Bunkie, Louisiana, under the
direction of Melancon Funeral Home. The family requests that visitation
be observed from 9:30 a.m. until time for the service at 11:00 a.m. The
Reverend Clint Aclin will officiate. Private Family Interment will be at
Pythian Cemetery, Bunkie, Louisiana.
Ruth was born in Arcadia, Louisiana to Alvin Glen Rich and Clara Mae
Penix Rich. She graduated valedictorian from Arcadia High School and
cum laude from Louisiana College with a Bachelor of Science degree.
She remained devoted to Louisiana College serving on its Alumni
Executive Board for three consecutive terms. She met the love of her life, James W. Townsend at Louisiana College on a blind date. They were married for 70 years.
During her career she served as the secretary to the pastor of a church in Shreveport, was a legal secretary in a Baton Rouge law firm, secretary and bookkeeper at a private school, taught piano lessons,
and served as secretary of the First Baptist Church, Bunkie, Louisiana. She was a committed Christian serving her church in many different areas including serving as the church clerk for 24 years. One of her church ministries was writing a book about the church’s history on its 100th anniversary in 1997. Her
most endearing commitment and personal enjoyment was her dedication to First Baptist Church and several other churches where she served as organist and/or pianist through the playing of sacred music.
She was a dedicated church instrumentalist for 74 years, beginning at the age of 14 in her hometown church. When she was traveling on vacation and attending a Sunday service, if the accompanist was not in attendance, she would volunteer and play the piano for the worship service. This gave her the opportunity to play in Texas, Kansas, Colorado, and Massachusetts. She reluctantly retired as church
instrumentalist at the age of 87 when her health declined due to Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS).
Ruth was also an avid reader and loved working in her flower garden. She and her husband enjoyed many years of adventures traveling throughout the fifty states of the United States and abroad.
Ruth Townsend is preceded in death by her father, Alvin Glen Rich; her mother, Clara Mae Penix Rich; her sister, Agnes Rich Via; and her great grandson, Luke Jameson Garmon. She is survived by her husband, James W. Townsend; daughters, Janet Townsend Webb (Bruce) of Bunkie, LA; Faye Townsend-
Bordelon (Nicky) of Mansura, LA; grandchildren, James Benjamin Garmon (Lori) of Ruston, LA, and Joshua Haden Garmon (Anna) of Ruston, LA; five great grandchildren, Grant Benjamin Garmon, Lilah Katherine Garmon, Ruby Jane Garmon, Laura Towns Garmon, and Margaret Ruth Garmon; nieces and
nephews.
Pallbearers honored to serve are Benjamin Garmon, Joshua Garmon, Grant Garmon, Thomas Townsend, Byron Townsend, Ralph Townsend, and Tommy Webb.
The family extends appreciation for the many expressions of love and kindnesses shown during this time of bereavement. We would like to express our deepest gratitude to Rhonda Allen, Jantrion Hayes, Markenzie Morris, and the many other caregivers throughout the years who have been a blessing to our entire family. A special thanks to all the doctors and nurses at Ochsner ALS Clinic, New Orleans,
Louisiana.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be sent to First Baptist Church, P.O. Box 508, Bunkie, LA 71322. Online condolences and memories may be shared with the family at www.melanconfunerals.com.