Elizabeth Townsend Jacobs

Elizabeth Townsend Jacobs (Mrs. H. L. “Rusty” Jacobs III) Lakeland- Elizabeth Townsend Jacobs (Mrs. H. L. “Rusty” Jacobs III), 97, of Lakeland, passed away on April 14, 2018, at home, surrounded by her children. Mrs. Jacobs was born in Washington, D. C., on March 22, 1921, to Col. Wilson L. and Virginia R. W. Townsend, of Kensington, MD. After high school in Bethesda-Chevy Chase, she graduated from Dickinson College in 1942 with a degree in history. While there, she joined Chi Omega and the senior women’s honorary, Wheel and Chain, and was Winter Ball Queen. She served as a civilian military intelligence research analyst during WWII in Miami Beach, FL, and at the Pentagon. She married the love of her life and best friend, Rusty, on June 27, 1945. His job took them to Orlando, FL, Lakeland, FL, Asheville, NC, Chattanooga, TN, Miami, FL and back to Lakeland in 1963. She was a “professional” volunteer, following the example of her parents, trained by the Junior League, inspired by her faith, and encouraged by her family. With the American Red Cross, she met planes of Cuban refugees, served active military families, and organized volunteers dealing with Hurricane Alma. She taught Sunday school, drove for VISTE, hosted exchange students, served as a Stephen Minister, and for 6 years served on the Board of Lakeland General Hospital (now Lakeland Regional Health Medical Center.) She was a member of First Presbyterian Church, Circle 12, PEO, the Antique Club, Republican Women of Lakeland, numerous PTAs, Grasslands Country Club, and the Junior League of Greater Lakeland. She was predeceased by her husband of 57 years. She is survived by son, H. Lincoln Jacobs IV, Lakeland, daughter, Gayley Lauteria (Lou), Orlando, and son, Philip T. Jacobs (Ruth), Raleigh, NC; granddaughters, Katherine Sallee (John), Ooltewah TN, Kendall Jacobs, Chattanooga TN, and Eleise Jacobs, Raleigh NC; grandsons, Evan Lauteria, Tokyo, Japan, Andrew Lauteria, Orlando, and Wilson Jacobs, Los Angeles CA; great-grandsons, Jackson and Benjamin Sallee, Ooltewah TN; step-granddaughter, Dana Lauteria Small (Brian), Lantana, TX; step-great-grandsons, Tanner and Peyton Small, Lantana TX; and unofficial daughter, Maureen Thompson Frazer (Nev), Sydney, Australia. A memorial service will be held Saturday, April 28, 2018, at 2:00 pm in the chapel at First Presbyterian Church of Lakeland, with a reception following in the Welcome Center. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to LRH Foundation, 1324 Lakeland Hills Blvd., Lakeland, FL 33805 or First Presbyterian Church of Lakeland, 175 Lake Hollingsworth Drive, Lakeland, FL 33801. The family extends special thanks to Elizabeth Blake and Sophia Michael for their generous, loving, and skilled care of our Queen Elizabeth and support and guidance given to all of us.