Adora Jane Baize Townsend Smith, 81, died Tuesday, November 5, 2024, at Hospice of Southern Kentucky in Bowling Green. Jane was born on June 24, 1943, in Owensboro to the late Oval Veldon Baize and Helen Rae Johnson Baize. She graduated from Owensboro High School in 1961 and was named Miss Owensboro in 1962. She earned a BS in Home Economics and a master’s degree in Home Economics Education from Western Kentucky University. At Western, Jane was a varsity cheerleader, a member of Chi Omega sorority, a member of Phi Upsilon Omicron honor society, and a regional sponsor for the National Society of Pershing Rifles. She later earned a BS in English from Brescia University.
After college, she returned to Owensboro and began a long and rewarding career with the Daviess County Public Schools. Over the next 25+ years, Jane taught Home Economics and English and led the DCPS Academic Intern program, always going above and beyond to inspire her students and ensure their success.
On April 8, 1967, she married Cleveland S. Townsend, III. Jane and Cleve were married for 20 years until Cleve’s death in August 1987. Jane wed Robert D. Smith on February 21, 1992. She and Bob were married for over 28 years until Bob’s passing in November 2020.
In addition to her parents and husbands, she was preceded in death by her stepmother, Marvie Baize, her sisters Vera Wells and Gena Roby, and her brothers Oval Veldon Baize, Jr. and Alan Baize.
Jane’s greatest source of pride was her family, and she was devoted to her children and grandchildren, attending many of their sporting events and activities. Known as ‘Gagee’ to her grandchildren, she was a constant source of love and encouragement and was famous for her strawberry cake.
She is survived by her son, Cleveland S. ‘Landy’ Townsend, IV (Allie) of Wake Forest, NC; her daughter Laurie Townsend Burt (Gerald) of Bowling Green, KY; her stepdaughter Debbie Smith Hill (Dave) of Brentwood, TN; her sister Gail Arnold Tine of Rocky Hill, CT; grandchildren Drew Hill (Katy) and Samantha Hill Primrose (Trae) of Nashville, TN; John Townsend, Ben Townsend, and Will Townsend of Wake Forest, NC; Luke Idlett and Jackson Idlett of Bowling Green, KY; and great-grandchildren Aspen Hill and Harlow Hill of Nashville, TN.
Jane was an active member of First Presbyterian Church and participated in Christian Women’s Club. She enjoyed playing bridge, reading, yoga, biking, and attending theater. She and Bob were very active in the Owensboro tennis community for many years and were members of the Owensboro Ballroom Dance Club. Later in life, she loved spending time in the warm Florida sunshine each winter as she and Bob travelled across the state to visit longtime friends and play tennis.
A service to celebrate Jane’s life will be held at 11 AM Saturday, November 9, 2024, at James H. Davis Funeral Home and Crematory. Visitation will be from 3-7 PM on Friday, November 8, 2024 and from 10 to 11 AM on Saturday at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution in Jane’s memory to the Frankie Lemmon School and Development Center or the Miracle League of the Triangle.