Shanee C. Townsend

Shanee Curslyn Townsend was born on August 28, 1991, to Sheverne Y. Oney and Curtis Townsend. Shanee was a little, premature baby, with a whole lot of determination and spunk. She defied all odds and grew up healthy and happy, with a smile that melted many hearts. Sometimes you just could not tell her “NO”, even when you should. As a child, she quickly learned how to fit in and blend with her peers. As tiny as she was, she made sure you heard her opinion loud and clear. Shanee attended Delmar High School in Delmar, Maryland. She was outgoing, fun-loving, and popular. Shanee graduated from Delmar High in 2011, and attended Prince George’s Community College in Largo, Maryland, to study photography. Later on, she decided to enter the workforce. Shanee was a quick-study and moved up the corporate ladder to become Branch Manager at Chuck E. Cheese Family Fun Center. Shanee was diligent and displayed professional decorum at all times. She was fair and earned the respect of her staff. After 10 years, Shanee felt that she needed more for her boys, Shawn and Shane, and wanted to spend more quality time with them. She loved her boys more than anything in this world, taking them to church on Sundays, to give thanks and praise and to learn of God, at Sunday School. Shanee empowered herself with maturity, self-determination and always making her children her first priority. Recently, Shanee became a proud member of the Customer Service Team at M&T Bank. She loved her new job and spoke highly of coworkers. Shanee remained employed at M&T Bank, until the time of her demise. Shanee loved her family, and enjoyed spending time with them. From sleepovers with her cousins, mom and sisters, to hanging out in DC with Mom, Auntie Kish and Auntie Roc for a night excursion at the National Harbor. She enjoyed crab feasts and seafood buffets at Grandma Brown's house. Let’s not forget the picnics, birthday parties and having fun with her numerous friends and cousins. She was known to take her boys on excursions such as Hersey Park and Sesame Street. She spent time chilling with her brothers; Mikey, Muhammed and Martell or relaxing with fun times with her little sister, Shamiya. Life is what you make it! Shanee loved her Mom very much. She would sit playfully in her lap and hug her. Nee, as she was affectionally known, was a big fan of her older sister, She’Don. They were as thick as white on rice; they always had each other’s back. Shanee was classy and fashionable, with style. She had a confident walk and a bedazzling smile. She had a big, generous heart; always willing to help or go the extra mile. Anyone who knew Nee, knew she loved to eat. Her favorite foods were Grandma Brown’s curried chicken, Aunt Vennie’s macaroni and cheese and her Mom’s ham hocks and black-eyed peas, just to name a few. Shanee’s life was short but well-lived. She was a dedicated mom, loving daughter, an awesome sister, loyal friend, faithful church member, special granddaughter, and fantastic auntie. Shanee was preceded in death by her grandparents, Rose Ann Kellam and Rosie Lee Townsend and uncles, Robert Kellam and Alvin M. Brown II. She is survived by her sons Shawn Allen Smith Jr. and Shane Amani Alvin Smith; her parents, Sheverne Oney and Curtis Townsend; grandparents, Alvin Sr, and Lynda Brown; brothers, Cameron Johnson, Michael and Muhammed Purnell, and Martell Oney; sisters, She’Don Hayes, Kurtisha Miller, and Shamiya Oney; uncles, Albert and Otis Kellam, Stephon and James Tanker; aunts, Estella Kellam, Rosalie Custus, Geneva Watson, Jeanette Phillips, Etta Watson, Kishma N. Brown, Raquesha A. Wilson, Brenda Reid, Vanessa Williams, Angela Wilson, Eunice Townsend and Patricia Street; nephews, Antonio Perdow, Jason and Jasaan Hayes; niece, Kinzley Purnell; best friends, Rebecca Roe and Charné Leatherbury and closet friend, Michael Chaikel; and a host of cousins, friends and acquaintances. Goodbye Shanee, gently lay your head upon your Savior’s breast. Yes, we loved you but JESUS loved you best. We Bid You Farewell, until we meet again!

Shanee C. Townsend

August 28, 1991 - May 15, 2019