Lee Esther Jones

Our beloved Lee Esther was born to the union of the late James T. Townsend, Sr. and Pearl Manion Townsend on June 19, 1940, in Clarksville, Tennessee.

Lee Esther confessed her faith in Christ at an early age and remained a dedicated and active believer serving at many different churches and various ministries throughout her life.  Lee Esther was educated in the Montgomery County School System where she attended Burt High School and is a proud graduate of the Class of 1958. She went on to complete her associates degree and is a retired civil servant, working in the Defense Finance and Administration Services (DFAS) department with the U.S. Government for nearly 22 years until retirement.

With great love and devotion, Lee Esther united in holy matrimony with Lindell Jones, a Sergeant First Class from Detroit Michigan on March 17^th, 1973. Alongside her husband and son Lamonte, Lee Esther enjoyed a wonderful life as a military family traveling throughout the U.S. and abroad. Their beautiful union which spanned nearly 50 years has served as an inspiration and a blessing for many.

One of her greatest joys was being a grandmother and great-grandmother. Her grandbabies (as she would say), Shonta Phelps and LaTisha Eley (daughters of Regina Eley) are the joys of her life! There was no distance, time, or costs that could keep her from loving on and spoiling her girls. Out of the abundance of God’s love, the joy in her life grew even more with the arrival of her great-grandchildren – Araiya and Alijah.

Outside of spending time with family, Lee Esther enjoyed shopping, reading her bible, going to church, doing activities with her classmates, and coordinating church and family events. She even started her own company, the New Beginnings Productions Group with a purpose of bringing the gospel through music to local communities in Kentucky and Tennessee and to raise money for scholarships for students with dreams of attending college. This is just one of many examples of how she led with love.

Lee Esther Jones had such a genuine heart for people, especially children. She impacted many lives over her amazing lifetime through church ministries she served in, communities she worked and lived in, and with her family, friends, and classmates. She had such a special ability to love people unconditionally.  She was a fierce prayer warrior, a constant encourager, and her generosity had no bounds.

Lee Esther Jones passed peacefully at her residence in Clarksville on Thursday, February 9, 2023.  She was preceded in death by her parents; Sisters: Odessa Tyson, Deloshia Tyson and Mary Parker as well as Brothers: James Townsend Jr, Frank Townsend, Larry Townsend, Jerry Townsend, Eugene Townsend and Leon Townsend. Her legacy will be continued on through her grandchildren, great grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, family, friends, and classmates.

Lee Esther will be remembered for the way she loved and served God, the unrelenting way she loved her family AND for the way she loved and showed up for the people in her life. She was well-loved and she loved well! Glory be to God!

Viewing Monday, February 20, 2023 10:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m. at First Missionary Baptist Church. Celebration of Life 11:00 a.m. Monday, February 20, 2023 at First  Missionary Baptist Chruch. Interment Kentucky Veteran Cemetery West, Hopkinsville, KY.