Janet Gaylan Slate Townsend, Mountain Grove, Missouri, passed away on November 21, 2010 after a courageous battle with cancer.

She was born May 7, 1943, in Sylvatus, Virginia, the daughter of Rachel Virginia Quesenberry Slate and Richard Price Slate, Sr. She was the oldest of 4 siblings. On June 5, 1964, she married Howard Garfield (Gary ) Townsend, Jr. Two children were born to this union.

She graduated from Radford College in 1964 with degrees in mathematics and biology and from Drury College in 1985 with a masters degree in education. She worked as a first grade teacher in New York and a computer programmer for Naval Ordinance Research at Pennsylvania State University in the 1960s. Soon after moving to Mountain Grove, Missouri in 1970 she became a mathematics teacher at Mountain Grove High School, serving as department chairman, academic team coach, math and science club advisor, and junior class sponsor over the years. Beloved by her students, she taught for 32 years before retiring in 2001. She also taught mathematics for Drury College, Southwest Baptist University, and Southwest Missouri State University. She was awarded the GTE GIFT fellow for the advancement of secondary mathematics and science for the state of Missouri in 1993. Education, mathematics and her students were her passions. Both inside and outside of the classroom her students remember her as a motivator, committed to their success in both academics and life.

Mrs. Townsend was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church, United Methodist Women, Delta Kappa Gamma, the Missouri State Retired Teachers Association, National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, and the Missouri National Education Association. She was always active in her childrens lives as they grew up, serving as a Cub Scout den leader and a Girl Scout leader for many years. Over the years, her deep faith sustained her, guiding her and her family through lifes trials and joys.

Her true joy in life was her family. She was a devoted wife, caring mother and doting grandmother. In her later years she especially enjoyed the time with her four grandchildren. The grandchildren particularly remember the times she spent with them. Grandson Matthew fondly remembers making pumpkin pie, grandson Aaron most loved cooking meals with grandma, and granddaughter Abigail cherished decorating Christmas cookies with her. All recall how she helped them with their math homework. Her oldest grandson, Andrew, remarked that she was the greatest, most caring grandmother, along with being the strongest person I know.

She is survived by her husband Gary of the home; daughter and son-in-law, Lori and Richard Dropik of Lititz, Pennsylvania; son and daughter-in-law, David and Patty Townsend of Alma, Arkansas; grandchildren, Andrew and Abigail Dropik of Lititz, Pennsylvania and Aaron and Matthew Townsend of Alma, Arkansas; parents, Rachel and Richard Slate, Sr., Sylvatus, Virginia; brother and sister-in-law, Richard Jr. and Joyce Slate, Hillsville, Virginia; sister and brother-in-law, Robin and Scott Eckwerth, Newport News, Virginia; sister and brother-in-law, Teresa and Chris Wells, Woodstock, Georgia; mother-in-law, Mildred Townsend, Hamlin, NY; brother-in-law, Robert Townsend, Sanford, North Carolina; sister-in-law, Donna Mort, Spencerport, New York; sister-in-law Mary Rathbun, Greeley, Colorado; two nieces and six nephews.

Janet was preceded in death by her father-in-law, Howard G. Townsend, Sr.

A memorial service will be held Sunday, November 28 at 2:00 pm at Dinwiddie Presbyterian Church with inurnment at Liberty Hill Cemetery.

A memorial mathematics scholarship fund is being established in Janets name to benefit Mountain Grove High School students pursuing a career in mathematics. The family asks that donations be made to this fund in lieu of flowers. Donations may be made through Vaughan-Guynn-McGrady Chapel P.O. Box 145 Hillsville, VA 24343.