Jackie Mae Townsell was born in Dallas on April 7, 1936. As a young girl, she moved to Bear Creek, a historic settlement founded by slaves in 1850, which became her treasured lifelong home.

Mrs. Townsell sought to make a difference throughout her years, spearheading an effort in the 1960s to annex Bear Creek into the City of Irving.

In 1977, she became a member of the Irving City Council. During her illustrious tenure in city government, Mrs. Townsell supported initiatives to help those in need and Irving at large by calling for health care for low-income mothers, promoting parks and libraries, and advocating community block grants.

Mrs. Townsell passed away on October 17, 2002. After her death, Irving ISD chose to honor her memory and contributions by naming a school after her, which opened in 2003.