Earlene Elizabeth Townsend

Earlene Elizabeth Townsend, 96, of Independence, MO, passed away on Friday, March 15, 2024.  

A visitation will be held from 9-10am on Thursday, March 21^st with a service following at 10am, both at Carson-Speaks Chapel, 1501 W. Lexington Ave.; Independence, MO 64052.  A graveside service will immediately follow at Mt. Washington Cemetery in Independence.

Earlene entered this world on October 3, 1927, in Kansas City, MO, the child of Robert and Ida (Marrow) McCorkindale.  After graduating from William Chrisman High School, she married her beloved husband Ralph Townsend and together, they made a house a home.  Earlene worked for many years for Vendo, a vending machine company in Kansas City and was the company’s first female buyer.  She went on to work at Foxx Equipment Company and retired in 1993.  In her retirement, Earlene didn’t slow down.  She continued to work part-time for an antique store and became very involved in the activities at the Fairmount Community Center, especially enjoying BINGO every Thursday.  She was an animal lover, flower gardener, and a collector.

Earlene leaves behind her sons, Ronald (Nancy) Townsend and Randall Townsend; her grandchildren, Rusty Townsend, Martie Pinzino, Brian Temple, Lori Dowd, Leah Conttrell, Brandon Temple, and Evan Woods; many great-grandchildren; as well as, Dolly the tornado, her beloved dog.  

She is preceded in death by her husband, Ralph; her daughter, Marsha Temple; and siblings, Bob McCorkindale, Shirley Richardson, and Marilyn Lance. 

Contributions may be made in Earlene’s honor to the Fairmount Community Center.