Jane Temple Townsend

Funeral services for Mrs. Jane Temple Townsend will begin at 11:00 AM Wednesday, May 6, 2026, at Robert Barham Family Funeral Home with the Reverends Dr. Will Wall and Dr. Raymon Leake officiating. Service Music will be provided by Mr. Barry Germany and Mrs. Abby Calhoun. The Townsend Family will receive guests from 10:00 AM until 10:45 AM prior to funeral rites in the chapel. Interment will follow graveside rites at Magnolia Cemetery. Robert Barham Family Funeral Home is honored to be entrusted with the arrangements.

Mrs. Townsend, 94, of Meridian, died Friday, May 1, 2025 at Baptist Anderson Regional Medical Center following a brief illness.

Born and raised in Meridian, Jane was a proud member of her community. A graduate of Meridian High School, she continued her education at the University of Southern Mississippi. A faithful and active member of First Baptist Church, Jane's commitment to service extended throughout the community from an early age as a founding member of the Dusty Social Club, a Diplomat Little Sister, a Diplomat Sweetheart, and the Junior Auxiliary.

Professionally, she worked for Meridian's Chamber of Commerce before beginning her career at Mid-South Rail Corps where she became the first female rail traffic controller; retiring after 30 years under the National Railroad Retirement Act.

Loved and respected by all who knew her, Jane found her deepest joy in life in her role as a grandmother, and adored every minute spent with them. A woman with a fabulous sense of style, a love for fun, and a special love for her shoes. Jane will always be remembered for carrying herself with grace and a touch of flair. Mrs. Townsend is survived by her daughter, Cynthia Townsend Howarth; grandchildren, Jetson Dow Taylor (Bryn), Brooke Taylor Smith (Bill), Jamie Clark Taylor (Heather), Juliet Howarth McDonald (John Michael), Cynthia Townsend Howarth (Alec Rynaski); as well as great-grands, Evans Kauerz, Harper Kauerz, Crosby Taylor, Jet Taylor, Emmery Taylor, Case Taylor, Myles Taylor, Chael McDonald; and great-great granddaughter, Elizabeth Tatum Kauerz; her siblings, Joyce Temple Shamburger, Barbara O'Neil, and Brooke John Temple; as well as a host of extended family members.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Jimmie C. Townsend; her son, Jim Townsend; her son-in-law, Richard Harper Howarth; and her parents, Hazel Yarbrough Temple and John Hubert Semmes Temple.

Pallbearers will be Jamie Taylor, John Michael McDonald, Alec Rynaski, Elic Purvis, Bill Smith, and Harper Kauerz.

Online condolences may be expressed at robertbarhamffh.com.