Mary Lou Lytle Townsend

Mary Lou Lytle Townsend-Kingsport, Tennessee Mary Lou Lytle Townsend, age 99, passed into eternal rest on Friday, February 13, 2026, at her home in Kingsport, Tennessee. Mary Lou was born in Wise County, Virginia, the daughter of the late Kirby Lytle and Allena Flanary Lytle. She was one of three children. She graduated from East Stone Gap High School, Class of 1945, and later attended Tusculum University, where she studied Business Administration. After completing her education, Mary Lou moved to Ohio, where she worked her entire career in the medical field. While in Ohio, she met and married Mr. Charles S. Townsend. Mary Lou was a faithful member of the Methodist Church, attending congregations in Ohio, Big Stone Gap, and Kingsport, Tennessee. She will be deeply missed by her family and friends, but her legacy of faith, dedication, and love will live on in the hearts of all who knew her. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Charles S. Townsend; her brothers, Leon Lytle and Roy Lytle; and two nephews, Kirby Lytle II and Shan Michael Lytle. Those left to cherish her memory include her son, Jeffrey Johnson, Esq., of Johnson City; her special niece, Rosita Lytle Lawson and husband, Jimmy; nieces and nephews, Connie Lytle Dorton, Glenn Lytle, Bernadine Lytle Wathen, Roy Lytle, and Roger Lytle; her stepson, Raymond Townsend; and other close relatives and friends. The family would like to express there gratitude to Wayne, Sue, & Dakota Mullins, who helped care for her for many years. The family will receive friends on Sunday, February 15, 2026, from 5:00 to 7:00 PM at Holding Funeral Home, 17 East 3rd Street North, Big Stone Gap. The funeral service will follow in the funeral home’s chapel with Reverand Melissa Malcom. Special music will be provided by Holding Funeral Home. The committal service will be held on Tuesday at 1:00 p.m. in the Powell Valley Cemetery Mausoleum. Those wishing to attend are asked to meet at the funeral home at 12:30 p.m. to travel in procession. Family and friends will serve as pallbearers. A memorial video will be updated by Holding Funeral Home An online register is available for the family at www.holdingfuneralhome.com . Holding Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

Mary Lou Lytle Townsend

May 8, 1926 - February 13, 2026

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