Susan Etter Townsell Back, of Nortonville, KY, left this world for Heaven on Thursday, July 3,
2025, at Baptist Health Deaconess in Madisonville.

She was born on October 26, 1938, in Muhlenberg County, KY, to the late James Marion Townsell and Lucy Stewart Townsell. Susan had been a member of Pleasant Hill Church, Salem Missionary Baptist Church, Island Ford Baptist Church, and most recently Berean Baptist Church. She loved going to Church and listening to WSOF Christian Radio. She was a loving Mama, Mamaw, and Grandmommy. She was a good cook and enjoyed making hand-made quilts and gardening. In her early years, she worked alongside her husband Frank as share croppers. Together they built the first two homes that they lived in. Later she worked for a few years back in the 70's at the Enro Shirt Company. In her late 40's she completed a GED course and a Nursing Assistant Course and went on to work for some years as a patient sitter until she became disabled.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of thirty years, Thomas Franklin "Frank" Back in 1992; her daughter, Judy Back; granddaughter, Rebecca Lynn Pleasant; sisters, Helen Plumb, Rosie Lee Johnson, and Mary Agnes Gibson; three brothers, Jack Townsell, James Townsell, and Robert Townsell; and her stepsons, Garland Back and Roy Thomas "Tommy" Back.

She is survived by her daughters, Ruth Back and Rachel Back, both of Nortonville; her son, Samuel Back of Nortonville; step daughters, Brenda Gale Williams-Ambrose of Cadiz, KY and Judy Lynn Gardner of Lebanon Junction, KY; grandchildren, Brittany and Eric Holmes, Daniel Brasher, Stephen and Lindsey Brasher, and Emily and Brandon Ware; great-grandchildren, Jessica Boyken, Nikki Boyken, Sammi Holmes, Tommy Holmes, Gracelynn Brasher, Gabriella Brasher, Greenley Brasher, Georgia Brasher, Kysen Sisk, Adleigh Sisk, and Bransen Ware; sister, Velmer Garrett; brothers, Johnny Townsell, Paul Townsell, Lucian Townsell, and George Townsell; step grandchildren, Ricky Back, Patsy and Jon Harris, Chris Back, Theresa and Ryan Nastal, Scotty and Diane Williams, Danny and Shanna Williams, Jennifer Dunning, and several step great grandchildren.

The funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, July 8, 2025, in the chapel of Harris Funeral Home in Madisonville with Pastor Bob Gish and Pastor Farrell Shepherd officiating. Burial to follow at St. Petersburg Cemetery in Mannington, KY.

Visitation will be from 11 a.m. until the funeral hour on Tuesday at the funeral home.

Pallbearers will be Samuel Back, Chris Back, Eric Holmes, Brandon Ware, Farrell Shepherd, and Matthew Willis. Honorary pallbearer is Ricky Back.