"Willa Townsend" (April 4,1880-May 25,1947)

Willa Ann Hadley Townsend was the daughter of Sam & P.Mary Hadley.She was educated in Nashville public schools and receive degrees from Fisk,Roger Williams,and Northwestern universities,as well as a degree in religious education from the National Baptist Missionary Training school.Willa taught in Nashville's public schools,at Roger Williams University,and at the Howe Institute in Memphis.She also serve as organist and music director for Spruce Street Baptist Church.


It was at church where she met and married Arthur M.Townsend a physician.When her husband became president of Roger Williams University,Willa worked as music director of the university's singers.The Williams singers toured,raising funds and built three buildings on the campus;yet the university closed in December 1929.As a hymnologist,songwriter,and music director,one of Willa's most outstanding works was the Baptist Standard Hymnal.She also served as chair for the Sunday School Publishing Board of the National Baptist Convention,U.S.A.,Inc.; compiling and editing "Gospel Pearls" and "Spirtuals Triumphant." This work is still used today by many African American Baptist Churches.


She belonged several civic organizations,including the Women's Auxilary of the Nashville Medical Association and the NAACP.She died on a Sunday morning.