Melvin Evander Townsend, 77, of Wesson, Mississippi, passed away Sunday, Nov. 3, 2019, at King’s Daughters Medical Center in Brookhaven, Mississippi.

He was born Jan. 18, 1942, the son of Austin Evander Townsend and Mary Bell Townsend. Melvin was in the cattle business most of his life.

He is survived by two sons, Karl Townsend and David Townsend; four brothers, Felton Townsend, James Townsend, Willie Townsend and Marlin Townsend; one sister, Audrey Covington; four grandchildren, Kennedy, Hunter, Alyson and Dakota; one great-granddaughter, Adalynn; and a host of nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Austin Evander Townsend and Mary Bell Townsend; and his wife, Sandra Smith Townsend.

Visitation was Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2019, at Brown Funeral Home in Gloster, Mississippi, from 11 a.m. until time of funeral services at 2 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home. Rev. Butch Simmons officiated. Burial was at Roseland Cemetery in Gloster.

Pallbearers were Felton Townsend, Marlin Townsend, Willie Townsend, James Townsend, Glenn Gautreaux and Ellis Stuart. Honorary pallbearers were Brian Hurst, Seth Brabham, Roy Smith and Cameron Jackson.