Today we are gathered for the "Homegoing Celebration" of Mary Elizabeth Townsend Briggs. She was born on June 27, 1927 to the late Reverend Howard Townsend, Sr. and Lula Noble Townsend. The loving Heavenly Father called her to rest in peace on September 27, 2007 at Huntsville Hospital. She was preceded in death by her mother and father; one sister, two brothers and one great grandson,
Mary confessed Christ as her personal savior in July 1948 at Saint James Primitive Baptist Church on Howe Street under the pastorate of Elder W. A. Donaldson, where she remained a faithful and fruitful member. She served untiringly on the Senior Usher Board, until her health failed, she exhibited the fruits of kindness, patience and love as evident through her willingness to give of her time and energy to help family, friends, and neighbors when in need.
She was joined in Holy matrimony to the late Freddie Briggs, Jr.
She leaves to celebrate her homegoing her special friend, Mr. Horace Drinkards; six daughters, Mary Moore, Jacqueline Briggs, Janice Gideon (James), Lula Ford (Dorsey), Dorothy Hill and Joyce Lester (Robert) all of Huntsville, Alabama; two sisters, Dorothy Elliott (Eddie) and Ella Crump (Robert) of Nashville, Tennessee; two brothers, Howard Townsend, Jr. (Anita) and Paul Townsend (Becky); one sister-in-law, Minnie Davis; one brother-in-law, Thomas Briggs; an aunt, Shirley Nobles of Westland, Michigan; fifteen grandchildren, twenty-six great grandchildren; four great, great grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Funeral services for Mrs. Mary Briggs will be held at 12:00 noon on Friday, October 5, 2007 from the St. James Primitive Baptist Church with Elder Billy Jones officiating. Interment will be in Vahalla Memory Gardens. The family will receive friends 6:00 - 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 4, 2007 from the Nelms Memorial Funeral Home.