Neva Loree Townsley

March 2, 1933--Nov. 19, 2010

MAGNOLIA, Texas -- The angels came on Friday (Nov. 19, 2010), and carried our precious mother home to heaven where she is now reunited with her true love, Ray.

Neva had a very exciting and worldly life. She was born March 2, 1933, in Ludell, Kansas. She started off as a small town girl being raised in Trenton, Nebraska and then moved to Brush, Colorado as a teenager where she graduated from high school and worked as a soda jerk at the drug store in town. She moved to Denver, Colorado after high school and worked as a telephone operator.

She then met her future husband Ray, a Texas oilman. They married and had six children. They lived in numerous states, Colorado, New Mexico, Montana, California, Kansas and Alaska, and then ventured out of the country to Stavanger, Norway with family in tow. They traveled Europe while overseas to Paris, Italy, London, Sweden, Holland, Switzerland, Austria, and Germany.

They then moved to Houston, Texas where they opened up their own company, Ray Townsley & Associates and Neva worked as a consultant. While keeping their home in Houston, Neva and her husband lived in India, Ecuador and Barbados.

She also worked part-time as a secretary at her son, John's business, Matrix International, Inc. for the last three years.

Neva made numerous friends all over the world. She loved watching her Houston Astros and Nebraska Huskers. She was an avid reader and was always working on a crossword puzzle.

She will be missed by all, especially her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, brothers, sister and her dear friends. She loved all unconditionally and gave everyone the freedom to go out and make mistakes but always had open arms to welcome them back when they needed some kind words or just a hug.

She was a loving wife, sister, mom, aunt, grandmother, great grandmother and friend who will be deeply missed by all who knew her.

She was preceded in death by her husband Ray; parents, Francis and Della Owens; brother, Dale Owens; and son in-law, Michael Stuhr.

She is survived by her sons, Ed Townsley and wife, Susie of Bangkok, Thailand, and John Townsley and wife, Cheryl of Conroe, Texas; daughters, Sharon Ingram and husband, Danny of Arlington, Texas, Liz Boran and husband, Billy of Spring, Texas, Tina Weeks and husband, Manny of Magnolia, Texas, and Loree Stuhr of Spring, Texas; brothers, Verl Owens and wife, Joann of Bullhead, Arizona, Larry Owens and wife, Janice of Creston, Iowa, Doug Owens and wife, Lana of New Ulm, Minnesota, and Don Owens and wife, Roxanne of McCook, Nebraska; sister, Karen Owens Mortimore and husband, Ben of Scottsbluff, Nebraska; 17 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews and friends.

A mother holds her children's hands for a while, their hearts forever.

Klein Funeral Home of Magnolia, Texas is in charge of the arrangements.