Mrs. Willa Malvene Townsend

Willa Malvene Alexander Townsend was born on December 24, 1930 in Charleston, West Virginia to Malvin Thomas Alexander and Willa Mae Pruitt Alexander. Her parents and two sisters, Joan Smith and Eloyce Ann Alexander, preceded her in death. She accepted Christ at an early age and was very active in the youth choir, Baptist Young People Union, and Sunday School at First Gesthemane Baptist Church in Louisville, KY. Upon graduation from Central High School in Louisville, she furthered her education by pursuing a bachelor's degree in sociology from Howard University in Washington, D.C. and a master's degree in school administration from DePaul University in Chicago. While living in Chicago, she worked as a substitute teacher at several elementary schools. In 1955, Malvene moved to Milwaukee to accept a position as a fifth grade teacher at Lloyd Street Elementary School. While at Lloyd, she incorporated a Black History unit, the first of its kind to be introduced at the elementary level in the Milwaukee Public Schools. She also taught an orientation class at Fourth Street School for students new to the city prior to their placement in a regular classroom. When the orientation class at Fourth Street School was phased out, she moved to Lancaster Elementary School. She demanded excellence in the classroom. Malvene's passion for teaching and love of children led her to 39 V2 years teaching in the Milwaukee Public Schools, until her retirement in 1995. Malvene united with Calvary Baptist Church in 1961 under the pastorate of Rev. Dr. Melvin Battle. Through the years she served as a church school teacher; Women's Day chairperson; Vacation Bible School director; member of the Millie French Circle; Golden Heirs member; editor of the Calvary Emancipator church newspaper for 20 years; proofreader for the Spirit of Calvary newsletter; and worked faithfully on many committees. During the 1950s and 1960s, Malvene was active with the Northside Inventory Council,an affiliation of the National Urban League. She volunteered in many capacities - as a Girl Scout Troop advisor, a reading tutor, for adults, and for 10 years at St. Michael Hospital. In 2008 she even found time to be a very enthusiastic volunteer for the presidential campaign of Barack Obama. Malvene was a life member of the Milwaukee Area Retired Teachers Association and a charter and life member of Beta Chi Chapter of the National Sorority of Phi Delta Kappa Ine. She served as chapter president and held numerous other positions during her 50-plus years of membership. Malvene was a recipient of the Milwaukee Times Black Excellence Education Pioneer Award, in recognition of her dedication and exemplary work in education. In 2010, the Historic African American Teachers organization honored her for her years of service as a pioneer teacher in Milwaukee. She enjoyed working with people and volunteered at St. Michael Hospital and as a reading tutor for adults. She also helped with voter registration. She also enjoyed traveling, reading and social gatherings with her family. On June 30, 1962, Malvene was united in holy matrimony to Luther Townsend Jr. He preceded her in death on December 25, 2009 after 47 VI years of happiness and love. They were blessed with a loving, caring and wonderful daughter, Angela Renee. Malvene was a strong, compassionate woman whose abiding faith led and sustained her throughout her life. She departed this life with dignity and the grace of God, at 12:20 a.m. Monday, September 7, 2015 at the University of Chicago Medical Center with family by her side. She leaves a legacy of love and cherished memories to her beloved daughter, Angela Townsend of Cleveland, Ohio; stepsons, Luther Tyrone Townsend and Gregory Lance Townsend of Milwaukee; dear sisters, Frances Alexander of Louisville, KY, Martha (Rev. Willie) Stamps of Detroit and Claudette (Dr. Clifford) of Chicago; sisters-in-law, Doris Adams of Milwaukee, Shirley Chatman, Ora Townsend Everett and Elizabeth Townsend of Decatur, GA.; brothers-in-law, Hubert Townsend of Milwaukee, Archie (Ann) Townsend of Decatur, GA and Milbert (Alexis) of Columbia, SC; devoted friend, Bobbie (Bob) Hooks of Mesa, AZ; goddaughter, Karolin Winston of Milwaukee; and a host of nieces, nephews, other loving relatives, friends and Calvary Baptist Church family.

Mrs. Willa Malvene Townsend

December 24, 1930 - September 7, 2015