Richard L. Townsend, Jr.

Richard Lewis Townsend, Jr. was born August 30, 1993 in Union Springs, Alabama, the son of Richard Sr. and Beatrice Sweetie Townsend. He passed away on Monday, December 9, 2019. Age 26 years.

Richard was known as “State” to his friends and fans, but he was affectionately called Tudda by family. He was a student of Buena Vista Public Schools before pursuing a career in the music industry.

State loved rapping and was working on his second album before his untimely death. He touched many lives in business and on a personal level. State had a heart of gold and never met a stranger. He was such a loving and kind person and will truly be missed everyone who knew him.

Richard was preceded in death by his grandparents, Frazier and Ethel Townsend, Roosevelt and Sarah Tolbert; uncles, Roosevelt Tolbert Jr., Curtis Townsend, Willie Weems; aunts, Annie Townsend and Bobbie Newby.

He leaves precious memories with his only child, Kaiden Brielle Townsend; parents, Richard Sr. and Beatrice Sweetie Townsend; sister, Porshia Tanae Tolbert, Atlanta, Georgia; brothers, Tony and Jacques Tolbert, Saginaw, Michigan, Therios Jenkins, Union Springs, Alabama, Christopher Carlisle, Montgomery, Alabama; nieces, Harmoni and Taylor Jenkins, Union Springs, Alabama; nephews, Kevin Mickens, Jr., Las Vegas, Nevada, DeSean Tolbert, Saginaw, Michigan; aunts, Brenda Townsend, Margaret Lou Townsend, Annie (Jerry) Wilburn, all of Saginaw, Michigan, Susie Townsend, Union Springs, Alabama, Wilma Weems, Saginaw, Michigan; uncles, Frazier Sr. (Katie) Townsend, Sammie (Melinda) Townsend, Willie Townsend, all of Saginaw, Michigan, Milton (Kathy) Townsend, Duluth, Georgia, Stanley (Jackie) Townsend, Union Springs, Alabama; many other relatives and friends including his favorite cousin, Torrey Townsend, best friend, Don Ware and producer, June Davis; these were his supporters from the beginning.

The family would like to express special thanks to Pastor Taurus Simpson, St. Mary’s ER Staff, all of State’s friends that held his family down in our time of need, Ivan E. Phillips and the Staff of Paradise Funeral Chapel.