The funeral service for Lena Mae Huhn Townsend Thames will be 2 p.m., Saturday, December 7, at Riverwood Family, with burial in Easthaven Cemetery. Visitation is from Noon until the time of service.
Ms. Lena Mae Huhn Townsend Thames, a lifelong resident of the East Lincoln Community, whose life spanned over a century, passed away at her daughter and son-in-law’s home in Raymond, MS, on Saturday, November 30, 2024. Born on October 9, 1922, Ms. Lena Mae lived a remarkable and fulfilling life. She was a mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and soon-to-be great, great grandmother. She was a determined and spirited lady. It was her new ambition to crawl out from under her tray in her wheelchair and begin her walk back home. She had things to do like milking the cow, taking care of her mother and father, getting her hair permed. Needless to say, the last year of her life was very challenging for her and those tending to her needs. She could climb over her rail, setting off alarms, heading for her exit like an escape artist.
Ms. Lena Mae was an honors graduate of East Lincoln High School, Brookhaven, MS, graduating at sixteen. She married W. N. “Bill” Townsend shortly thereafter. Mr. Townsend told how he and she had eloped and faced the scrutiny of her father upon their return. It did not take long for Mr. Hampton to accept him into the family.
Hard work and the ambition to make a difference influenced her adult life and accomplishments. She worked many years at Stahl Urban. She loved to sew, knit, and crochet. She gifted her children and grandchildren with quilts as keepsakes. At age 50, she attended Co-Lin for a nursing degree, where she was graduated as Valedictorian and was honored to receive the outstanding nursing student award. She worked at King’s Daughters Hospital for several years, until becoming the nurse for the practice of Drs. Fuller and Irby, Internal Medicine. She retired and did private patient duty for a year. Her husband, Bill, suffered a severe stroke and was completely incapacitated and unable to speak. She handled his care for ten years, until his passing on Christmas Eve, 1999.
Her life was far from over. At age 88, she married Paul Thames of Lawrence County. They had been acquaintances for many years. He passed February 10, 2021.They were married for ten years.
Ms. Lena Mae’s children are Alice Louise Cliburn (Roger) of Raymond, MS, and Charles Wilton Townsend (Linda) of Spring, TX. Grandchildren in order of birth are Melissa Cliburn Launius (Perry) of Flowood, MS; Kimberly Cliburn Hutchins (Roger) of Southaven, MS; Stephanie Townsend Busch (Charles) Spring, TX; Erica Whitaker (Jimmy) Magnolia, TX; Brian Townsend (Whitney) of Cypress, TX.
Great Grandchildren surviving Ms. Lena Mae holding a special place in her heart are Peyton Farmer Cole, DVM (Tanner), Porter, TX; Braden Farmer, Spring, TX; Regan Launius, Flowood, MS; Devin Hutchins, Southaven, MS; Chase Whitaker, Magnolia, TX; Hailey Hutchins, Southaven, MS; Bristol Whitaker, Magnolia, TX; Aubrey Townsend and Mackenzie Townsend, Cypress, TX.
Also surviving Ms. Lena Mae are Tammy Thames, Landon Thames, and Logan Thames (Kelsa) and their daughter Lynnlee.
Ms. Lena Mae’s parents were Charles Hampton Huhn and Alice Asenath McGuffie Keene Huhn. She was the youngest of seven children: Frankie Keene McGraw, Mae Keene Wilson, Andy Lee Keene, Eugene Keene, Lizzie Keene Sartin, and Charles Huhn; all having preceded her in death.
Ms. Lena Mae leaves behind a legacy of purpose, shared memories, and love of family. She will be forever remembered for all the egg custard pies she made for her family and community and her famous chicken and dumplings! She was an inspiration to live one’s best life. She did.
