Verlina Patrice Townsend, 46, made her heavenly transition peacefully in her sleep on January 15,2019.  Verlina was born March 18, 1972 in Flint, Michigan to    Jameson and Elsie Townsend.  She spent her younger years on her grandparents farm in Mississippi and moved to Canton when she was four.  She grew up in Massillon and Uhrichsville Ohio.  She attended St. Marys and graduated from  Tuscarawas Central Catholic in 1990.  She then went on to the Ohio State University where she obtained her bachelors degree in Sociology with a minor in     Accounting.  She later went back and obtained her Masters degree in Education and was currently working toward her PHD in Education.  In 2001, Verlina gave birth to her pride and joy, the light of her life Destiny Laree Holmes.  Her love for her daughter and her love of learning and constant thirst for knowledge was a   driving force for her as she was always trying to improve and enrich her life and the life of her daughter.  She was strong and independent and stubborn as a bull, always standing strong on her beliefs. She had a passion for writing and published two books:  Poetry of Dedications, Prayers, Situations & Dreams, Part I and Part II.  She also had a love of food, flowers and decorating her home as well as jewelry and hats.  She was the kindest and gentlest of people, with her infectious and   contagious smile, she never met a stranger.  She had the capacity to love and the ability to always forgive and see the good in every person and situation.  She loved life.  She was preceded in death by her father Jameson L. Townsend.  As well as her maternal grandparents Sam and Velma Prather and paternal grandparents   Albert and Verline Townsend.  She is survived by her daughter Destiny Holmes, mother and step-father Elsie and Charles Beverly of Massillon, OH, brothers Jameson (Sheila) Townsend II of Stow, OH, Charles (Dorothea) Beverly II of Canton, OH, Step sister Kathy Beverly of Columbus, OH. Nieces and Nephews, Jameson III, Sydnie, Evelynn, Landon, Alyse, Vivian, Sylvia, Marcus, Ryan, and Cory. Also surviving, are her aunts Virginia Heidelberg, Betty (James) Simmons, Alice Prather, Theresa Prather, and JoEthel Prather. As well as a host of cousins and friends.