Rufus Towns, Sr.

On Thursday, April 6, 2023, four days after his 84th birthday, God called Rufus Towns, Sr., our beloved husband, father, grandfather, and brother from labor to reward. Rufus was born April 2, 1939 to Matthew and Josephine Ramsey Towns in Nansemond County.

He was joined in holy matrimony to Carol Esther Eley on July 20, 1957. To their union seven children were born: four sons, Carlton Eley (deceased), Charles Eley, Rufus Towns, Jr. (Patricia) and Rev. Morris Towns (Stacey) and three daughters Annette Harrell (Larvell – deceased), Monica Towns (deceased) and Carolyn Crocker (Jeffrey). His family legacy is extended by sixteen grandchildren and nineteen great grandchildren.

Rufus is survived by his wife Carol, one sister Rosa Towns and two brothers Ed Towns and Ernest Towns as well as several nieces and nephews. He loved being outdoors. Alongside his wife, he helped to keep his yard immaculate. His passion was tending his garden year after year from April to November. His garden was always a success including his collards, cabbage, string beans, tomatoes and squash, to name a few. He also had a love of fishing. Rufus was a loving husband and father, He was always a call away from being there for his family at all times. Always ready and willing to give a helping hand to his children and family, Rufus did not know when to say “no.” He was employed with Smithfield Packing Company for forty-three years. His career started working on the shipping dock and ended in maintenance.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held 11am on Wednesday, April 12, 2023 at Diamond Grove Baptist Church, Suffolk. Viewing will take place on Tuesday, April 11, 2023 from 3-6pm at the chapel. Please keep the Towns family in your prayers.