Ms. Cynthia Ann Davis-Townsend

Cynthia Davis was born to Charles and Zoetta Davis on August 28, 1959, in Saginaw, Michigan. She graduated from Arthur Hill High School in 1977 and earned her Bachelor of Science degree with a focus on Early Childhood Education and Teaching from Tennessee State University in 1982. She would later earn a Master of Arts degree with a focus in Educational Administration from Central Michigan University. After graduating from Tennessee State University Cynthia made stops in Nashville, TN, Springfield, TN, San Diego, CA, and Raleigh, NC before settling in Decatur, GA. as a newlywed with then husband, John Townsend. The couple married in 1984. The two welcomed a son, Jonathon in April of 1989. Cynthia went on to start her career as an educator. Cynthia started her journey as an educator for Atlanta Public Schools. Cynthia eventually made her way back to Saginaw, MI., joining the Saginaw Public School District as a teacher at Emerson Elementary. She enjoyed and embraced the Emerson community, staff, students and parents as her own. During this time Cynthia gained some of her closest friends as well. Friends Bandy, Tootoo, Donna and the students made her Emerson experience unforgettable. Students enjoyed her teaching style and the comfort of having someone like Ms. Townsend they could confide in. It also helped that she kept a jar of goodies and treats. She would later earn a Master of Arts degree with a focus in Educational Administration from Central Michigan University. Cynthia had 34 years of experience within the Saginaw Public School District, she held roles as a Teacher, Title I Educator, and Principal. Her SPSD journey includes stops at Emerson, Longfellow, Nelle Haley, Loomis, Merrill Park, Jessie Rouse and others. Ms. Townsend’s former students continued to check on her years after leaving her classroom. Cynthia was a huge advocate on giving back to her community. Outside of being an educator, she volunteered for Habitat for Humanity, City Rescue Mission, Christ Community Church just to name a few. Cynthia was a member of Bethel A.M.E. Church for over 35 years and was a frequent Sunday morning service attendant until her illnesses and the pandemic transitioned her to attend the virtual service online. She was also a frequent attendee of Praise Week at New Christ Community Church with her close friend/sister and hair stylist, Pastor Audrey Parker. Cynthia Davis Townsend was initiated into the Saginaw chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc, Eta Upsilon Omega chapter on July 6, 1983, and had over 42 years of loyal and faithful service to the sorority. As a legacy member, she grew up participating in Alpha Kappa Alpha events with her mother Zoetta Davis, and attended national, regional and cluster meetings of the sorority as family trips even prior to joining the sorority. She was a Silver Star and served on numerous committees throughout the years. For the past four years, she served as its Scholarship Chair and established the Zoetta Davis Memorial Scholarship. She was a faithful member of the Membership Committee and the Empower Our Families Committee initiating the Childhood Hunger Initiative Power Pack (CHIPP) program at her school. Cynthia enjoyed being up to speed with the latest electronic equipment, especially laptops and televisions. No matter where she went, she kept her laptop with her. She also enjoyed the serenity of driving. She would often let passengers know just how much better she was behind the wheel. She had a passion for shoes of all styles and gift giving was a part of her love language. Be it money or material, Cynthia was known for providing gifts that were useful to the specific person. It was not uncommon for Cynthia to enjoy a basketball or football game. As a basketball mom she enjoyed the road trips and ensuring that her son and his teammates were not only enjoying playing basketball, but also getting the full experience in different cities. She would often take a group to the malls, city sites, and restaurants among other activities. Along the way she picked up tons of bonus sons. Ms. Townsend also enjoyed going to sports events of schools she worked. Even outside of her school hallways, Ms. Townsend made sure to continue showing up for young people displaying her passion. Cynthia thoroughly enjoyed being ‘Nana Cynthia’ and making road trips to Georgia where her three grandchildren reside. It was a common occurrence for Nana to send her stuffed packages filled with books, clothes and toys to her babies. Ms. Cynthia Townsend leaves to cherish her memory, her son Jonathon (Terrace) Townsend of Duluth, Georgia, grandchildren, Karter, Denim and Kyler of Duluth, Georgia, brother, Michael Davis of Hapeville, Georgia, cousins, Debra Hicks of Evansville, Indiana, David Williams of Harrisburg, Illinois, George Williams of Indianapolis, Indiana. She also leaves to cherish the entire Chaffer / Thomas family, god-sister Judy Carter Norris, sister/friend Felicia Tinner (Swilley), godchildren Shawnae Hughey, Hannah Johnson, CJ Parker, DeAnte Toins, Kynedi Weans, and her Tennessee State University family. She is preceded in death by her mother and father, Zoetta and Charles Davis, aunt, Gloria Willams, close friend Dawn Ann Hughey and special nephew Demarius Pipkins Sr. Funeral service will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, January 13, 2025 at Evans & Browne's Funeral Home, 441 N. Jefferson Ave., Saginaw, MI 48607. Rev. Dr. Dennis Laffoon will officiate with interment in Forest Lawn Cemetery 3210 S. Washington, Saginaw, MI 48601. Visitation will take place on Sunday at the funeral home 441 N. Jefferson Ave., Saginaw, MI 48607 from 2:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. The Ivy Beyond the Wall Ceremony will be conducted by Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Eta Upsilon Omega Chapter at 10:30 a.m.

Ms. Cynthia Ann Davis-Townsend

August 28, 1959 - December 31, 2024