Toyoko Yonamine Townsend, age 90, was born on December 22, 1932 in the Shurikinjocho (Shuri) area of Naha, Okinawa, Japan, She died peacefully on July 19, 2023 in the presence of her family. Toyoko was affectionately known as "Grandma Toki" among her family and friends. She was the 7th of 8 children born to Saburo and Tsuru Yonamine. Toyoko was a war bride as documented in The War Bride Project, "Finding the Balance," (www.warbrideproject.com) by Kathryn Tolbert.

Being a child living through the 1945 Battle of Okinawa in the capital city of Naha shaped who she would become as an adult. She learned how to be a survivor by her mother who kept the family alive during the 6-month battle by moving from bomb craters, to caves, to dilapidated buildings at night while stumbling over bodies of victims of the war. She shared stories of these unfortunate times with her children.

In 1951, with the blessing of her mother, she married an American soldier, Wardell Clinton Townsend, Sr. of Itta Bena, Mississippi and they moved to the United States, leaving behind her family members and the great heritage of the Ryukyu Islands. Toyoko became an American citizen in 1957. She had a wonderful sense of humor, loved Okinawa music and dance, her Japanese Wives Club friends, card games, watching sports while exhibiting her competitive edginess, shouting "Gambatte!" (Do your best!).

Toyoko was predeceased by her husband, Wardell, who died in September 1991. She is survived by her children, daughter, Toyoko Christine Beaty and her husband, Honorable James A. Beaty, Jr. of Winston-Salem, NC; sons, Honorable Wardell C., Jr. and his wife, Diane Martin of Apex, NC, Toy Guy of Raleigh, NC, MAJ Ronald James Davis (USA, Ret.) and his wife, CPT Brenda Alder (USA, Ret.) of Fayetteville, Georgia, MAJ Kazuo Michel, (USAF, Ret.) of Accokeek, Maryland, and COL Daniel Lee (USA, Ret.) and his wife, Gina Branford of Tampa, Florida; 14 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins in the Ryukyu Islands, Okinawa, and mainland Japan.

There will be a Family Visitation from 6:00 to 7:00 pm on Tuesday, July 25, 2023, in the Chapel at United Metropolitan Missionary Baptist Church at 450 Metropolitan Drive, Winston-Salem, NC. With the assistance of Russell Funeral Home, Inc., a private family graveside service will be held on Wednesday, July 26, 2023 at 11:00 am on the United States Army base, Fort Liberty, in Fayetteville, N C.

The family kindly requests that in lieu of flowers, donations "In Memory of Toyoko Yonamine Townsend" can be made to the "Okinawa Kai of Washington, DC, Inc. at (https://okinawakai.org/index.php/contact-us/) or donations may be mailed to Okinawa Kai of Washington DC, c/o Takako Ball 4944 Frishman Ct., Woodbridge, VA 22193.  Okinawa Kai was originated to help preserve and spread the Okinawan culture to the next generation and to the local community.