Friends, acquaintances ‘absolutely floored’ by death of Mississippi pastor, postal worker

A simple, makeshift sign on the counter of the Oxford Post office earlier this month communicated the bad news.

“It saddens the employees at the Oxford Post Office to have to inform you that our fellow employee Christopher Townsend has passed away due to COVID. He will be missed by us and we know by many of you that he has served throughout the years. Please join us in praying for his family,” the sign reads. An image of a smiling Townsend resting nearby.

Townsend, 50, of Batesville, Mississippi, died on December 15 after battling complications from the COVID-19 virus. He was one of the 982 COVID-19 deaths reported across the state during the month of December.