Passing of 1st International VP Judge Haynes Townshend

The Lions, Lionesses and Leos of Multiple District 14 join their partners in Service throughout the world in mourning the loss of Lions Clubs International First Vice President Judge Haynes H, Townsend.

Haynes Henton Townsend, 64, of Dalton, Ga., went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Tuesday, December 17, 2019.

He was the son of the late Clifford and Evelyn Townsend and was also preceded in death by his uncle, Emmett Henton.

Haynes had a servant heart and a love for community. He started working at Fraker Hardware at age 15 and later served as Chief Magistrate Judge for Whitfield County for 22 years. He was the current vice president of Lions Club International and was to be named president at the international convention in June. He was an outstanding friend, loved photography and loved his family deeply. He loved to read and had an incredible sense of knowledge. Haynes believed kindness matters and was an example of how kindness can change the world.

He is survived by his loving wife of 40 years, Donna Lord Townsend; daughter and her fiancé, Morgan Townsend and Travis Vitali; daughter and son-in-law, Madison and Kenneth Rutledge, Jr.; mother-in-law and father-in-law, Henry and Becky Lord; aunt, Geneva “Nene” Henton; cousins, Brian and Teresa Henton and Debra and Chuck Harris.

A memorial service will be held at 3 PM on Sunday at Dalton First United Methodist Church with Rev. Chuck Harris officiating. The family will receive friends prior to the service from 1-3 PM in the atrium.


The family requests that memorials be made to the Lions Club International Foundation, 300 W. 22nd Street, Oak Brook, IL 60523.  

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