Dr. Robert Burwell Townes, Jr., 89, of Grenada, passed away Friday, October 23, 2015 at the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Grenada. He was born June 5, 1926 in Grenada to Robert Burwell and Mary Roane Townes. As a youth, he attended Grenada's public school, earned his Eagle Scout badge, and graduated from John Rundle High School, Class of 1944. During World War II, he enlisted in the Navy in March, 1944 and served overseas as a hospital corpsman in Okinawa. He attended the University of Mississippi where he earned his Bachelor of Arts and Master of Science degrees. He was a member of Phi Delta Theta fraternity. He attended Tulane University Medical School and graduated with an M.D. degree in 1955. After one year of internship at Charity Hospital in New Orleans, he returned to Grenada and joined Dr. W.B. Hunt in the general practice of medicine. After 51 years of practice, he retired in 2008.

He was an active member of First United Methodist Church where he served as lay leader, and for 30 years taught a Sunday School class for high schoolers. He was a past president of the Grenada Lions Club. Dr. Townes was also a member of the North Central Mississippi Medical Society, Mississippi State Medical Association, American Medical Association, Mississippi Academy of Family Physicians and a charter member of the American Academy of Family Physicians where he was board certified. He was a clinical associate professor of Family Medicine at the University of Mississippi for 30 years which allowed him to mentor many outstanding students from the University of Mississippi Medical School. Dr. Townes was appointed by Governor William Winter to serve on the Mississippi State Board of Medical Licensure. He was instrumental in helping start the Lovely Lane School in Grenada which served mentally challenged children. This was later incorporated into the Grenada Public School system.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM Monday, October 26, 2015 at First United Methodist Church in Grenada. Interment will follow in the Woodlawn Memorial Park. The family will receive friends from 12:00 PM Monday until service time at the church.

Survivors include his wife, Linda Spain Townes; one daughter, Allen Townes Cunningham of Jackson; three sons, Robert B. Townes IV and his wife, the Rev'd Lynnsay A. Buehler of Atlanta, GA, Blake Townes of Grenada, and Todd Townes and his wife Krista of Atlanta, GA; three grandsons, Robert Townes, Price Townes and Parker Townes; a nephew, Andrew Townes and his wife Jan and their son Holland; and two first cousins, Mary Sharp Rayner and Fred Lickfold.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Dr. Andrew Roane Townes and his wife Kay; and a son-in-law, Doug Cunningham.

Pallbearers will be Tom Swiley, Andrew Townes, Holland Townes, Price Townes, Robert Townes and Michael Witt.

Memorials may be directed to the First United Methodist Church in Grenada or the charity of the donor's choice.

Professional services and arrangements have been entrusted to McKibben and Guinn Funeral Service in Grenada (662-307-2694).