Betty Jo Woodard Townsend, 86, passed away peacefully on Saturday, June 27, 2026, at the SECU Hospice House surrounded by her family. Born April 18, 1940, in Johnston County, she was the daughter of the late Alice Kathleen Crocker Woodard and Joseph Patrick Woodard. In addition to her parents, Betty is preceded in death by her husband, Jack Thomas Townsend, Jr.; sister, Glenda Murphy; brothers, Billy Woodard, Rudolph Woodard, William Carroll Woodard, and JP Woodard; and her special friend of 26 years, Robert Jackson.

Betty was saved as a child at Bizzell Grove church and has loved and served him all her life. She asked to be remembered in the hearts of all her family and friends, and will be waiting to see all of you someday again in Heaven.

Graveside service will be held on Tuesday, June 30, 2026, at 11:00am, at Bizzell Grove Memorial Gardens in Princeton, with Rev. Dennis Pollock officiating. Flowers are welcome. The family will receive visitors at the home of Mike and Robin Townsend.

Betty is survived by her sons, Mike Townsend (Robin) and Greg Townsend; grandchildren, Megan Townsend Clifton (Anthony), Morgan Townsend Taylor (Holden), and Blake Townsend Blackmon (Cody); great-grandchildren, Karsyn Clifton, Kamryn Clifton, Paisley Taylor, and Presley Taylor; Betty Stanley, who was like a daughter to her; lifetime friend, Mattie Henderson; and those who referred to her as “Granny Betty”, Stephanie and Jason Owens, Rylan and Chyles Robbins, Whitney, Paul and Brooklyn Knox, Coy, Ashley and Ava Stanley.