Helen Burdett

Helen Gail Townsend Burdett, age 76, of Tuscaloosa, died July 20, 2016. Services will be 11 a.m. Friday, July 22, 2016, at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church, 20043 Pleasant Grove Road, Vance, Ala., with Greg Crowe officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery with Magnolia Chapel Funeral Home South directing. Visitation will be today, July 21, 2016, from 5 to 7 p.m., at the funeral home. She was preceded in death by her parents, Burl and Mertie Townsend and siblings, Mildred Oswalt, Sakie Dailey, James Townsend, Gerald Townsend and Larette Gable. Survivors include her daughters, Reba Gail Burdett of Lake View, Ala. and Renee Burdett Vaughn of Nokesville, Va.; sisters, Faye Crowe and Rhonda Crowe of Tuscaloosa, Ala., Neil Short of Vance, Ala. and Hazel Meacham of West Blocton, Ala.; grandchildren, Katherine Adeline, William Edward and Robert Alexander Vaughn of Nokesville, Va.; and many nieces, nephews, extended family and friends. Helen was born July 23, 1939 in Woodstock, Ala. She grew up in the Woodstock Baptist Church. She and her sisters "The Townsend Girls"� sang in churches and revivals throughout the region. Helen graduated from West Blocton High School. She received an associate degree from South Eastern Bible College. She earned her Bachelor of Science and Master degree from Auburn University. She worked as a preschool teacher for many years. After completing her Master"�s, she worked as a Mental Health Counselor. She retired from the Alabama Department of Mental Health. Helen was a part of the Valley View Baptist Church for many years. Her greatest joy was spending time with family and friends. Pallbearers will be Ken Crowe, Collin Crowe, Gary Townsend, Duane Deerman, Tyler Platts and Chris Short. Honorary pallbearers are William E. Vaughn III, Robert Alexander Vaughn, Ed Vaughn, Jr., Joy Bible Study Class, Sun Lighters, George Nasseney and Odie Snow. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that donations be made in her honor to Hospice of West Alabama, 3851 Loop Road, Tuscaloosa, AL 35404.