Laura Bernice Townsend was born in Orville, Alabama, August 4, 1927, to Lafayette and Annie Mae Watts. She was the oldest of six girls. She grew up in Selma, Alabama, where she graduated high school at Knox Academy. She started her career in Selma as a Housekeeper and later moved on to serve as a civilian attendant at the U. S. Army Base in Selma.

Upon moving to Kansas City, Missouri, Laura met and married George Townsend with whom she had two children, George, Jr.  and Tamela.

She was employed at Menorah Medical Center, where she worked as a Medical Transcriptionist, until her retirement.  While working at Menorah, Laura acquired her cosmetology license from Allene Jefferson Cosmetology School. She maintained a shop in her basement at home.

Laura maintained a membership at Canaan Missionary Baptist Church for well over 60 years where she was a staple and taught in the Youth and Adult Sunday Schools.

Laura was also revered as one of the founding members of the Ivanhoe Neighborhood Council and served as the neighborhood block captain for many years. She was unwavering in her commitment to ensuring that the neighborhood was clean and safe for the residents. The empathy she had for other people was truly inspiring. She hated to see any form of life hurting or in pain. She was a fixture in the neighborhood. She was always out picking up trash and letting people see her in action.

Proceeding her in death were her parents and four sisters, Emma Dorothy Hickman, Clara Jean Tivis, Sadie Mae Prather, and Annette Butts; husband, George; and son, George Jr.

Laura B. Townsend departed this life on Friday, June 27, 2025, and leaves to mourn daughter, Tamela (Townsend) Watts; two grandchildren, Freeman Tre and J'dyn Corrina Watts; sister, Gertrude Thomas of Mobile Alabama; and a host of nephews, nieces, relatives, and friends.

Thoughtful care and services provided by E. S. Eley & Sons Funeral Chapel, Inc.