STUTTGART — Patricia McDonald Townsend
passed away on September 21, 2023. She was born in Fort Smith, Ark., on October 12, 1930, to the late Frank Parks Kirk and Helene Burke Kirk.
She graduated from Fort Smith High School and attended the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, where she was a member of the Psi chapter of Chi Omega fraternity. While in Fayetteville, she married David C. McDonald, Jr. She and David had two children, Janie and Kirk. Many years after David’s death, she married Mark Townsend. They spent many happy years in Stuttgart, Ark., as well as Harbor Springs, Mich. In Harbor Springs, she served as President of the Little Harbor Club for four years. She served on the board of the Farmers and Merchants Bank in Stuttgart from 1980-1986. Following that, she was selected to serve on the Little Rock Branch of the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis from 1987–1992. After the expiration of her term, she returned to the board of the Farmers and Merchants Bank from 1995–2018. She served as chairman of St. Alban’s Episcopal Church altar guild for many years. She cherished her many years with her beloved bridge club and their many parties. She was preceded in death by her parents, and her brother, William Burke Kirk; and both of her husbands. She is survived by her children, Jane McDonald Williams and her husband, Alf; David Kirk McDonald and his wife, Debbie; her grandchildren, Patrick McDonald and his wife, Sarah; Sean McDonald and his wife, Katherine; and one great-grandson, Porter McDonald. The family wishes to thank the many people who cared for her over the years, including Ada Jeans and Diane Walker, the staff of Fox Ridge Chenal, and Shawnda’s Elderly care, with special thanks to her long-term caregivers: Keshia, Kendrick, Melikia, and Raven. A special thanks for a lifetime of service is given to Connie Geisler, her right arm.
The funeral service will be on Wednesday, September 27, 2023 at 11 a.m., with the Reverend Mark Nabors officiating. Following the service will be a reception at the church. The burial will be private.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations St. Alban’s Episcopal Church Endowment Fund, P.O. Box 726, Stuttgart, Ark., or the charity of your choice. Please go to www.turpinco.com to sign the online guestbook.