Debra Kay “Willow” Townsend, 73, of Woodbury passed away on August 20, 2026. She was born on December 26, 1952. She was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph Williams and Jacquelin Williams.

She is survived by her husband, Frank Magistro, children, Forest King, Theodore Townsend, Robert Townsend, Zoe York, Haven King, and Cassie Townsend, stepsons, Chris Magistro, David Magistro, and Joseph Magistro, brother, Scott Williams, granddaughter, Alex Scrougham, and great grandson, Warren, and several nieces and nephews.

Debra grew up in Indiana. Early on she was drawn into the rock and roll culture of the 1970’s. Bands of the time flourished and she loved that style of free-spirited and unrestrained music. Such was her love for rock music and its lifestyle that she became a tour manager for a band for a period of time. She was also born with an inclination to arts and crafts and the healing arts through homeopathic medicine. The interest in homeopathy drove her to receive certifications through Southern California University and the British Institute of Homeopathy.

Her education in the healing arts allowed her to explore her entrepreneurial side by crafting homemade natural soaps, salves and the like to sell at local markets. She would often pack her vehicle with her wares to sell at the Nashville Flea Market. In addition, her artistic abilities expanded into jewelry making and creating watercolor and chalk art.

Debra and Frank began chatting online through a friend. Living in different states made it challenging to connect otherwise. Frank had recently experienced the loss of his wife and Debra was no longer involved in a relationship. It didn’t take long for their online friendship to develop into a romantic relationship. Both wanted to have someone to share their lives with. They tried living near her home, but it didn’t quite suit them. They wanted a place to get away from it all and get back to more simple self-sufficient living. It so happened they found exactly what they were looking for in Woodbury.

Once they settled in, the real work began. She and Frank set about creating a vegetable farm, not just a garden. They built nearly an acre worth of raised beds. It could easily feed multiple families. Growing a variety of different vegetables and trying out new ones each year to see what worked best. They canned a lot of the vegetables to allow them to be enjoyed throughout the year and into the future. Debra wanted to share her love of art with others. She became involved with the Cannon County Senior Center and taught art classes in painting and chalk art.

Debra and Frank also connected in their appreciation of Native American culture. She was born with Cherokee Indian in her family lineage. She joined with fellow members of the tribe at gatherings whenever she could. She held the title of Lakota fire keeper at one time. In the recent past she became close with her granddaughter, Alex and her son, Warren. Debra enjoyed keeping up with them and being able to talk with them to find out the latest news in their lives. It gave her a great deal of joy to stay involved with them. Over the past few years Frank’s health began to deteriorate. Debra took on whatever needed to be done to help him. Chris also moved down to help them both and take care of the farm.

Her unexpected passing has left a hole in the hearts of her loved ones but, she has left a legacy of free-spirited living, creativity, and natural living for them to carry on keeping her story alive.

Her wish was to be cremated. Her family will hold a private service to celebrate her life. Share memories and condolences at www.gentrysmithfuneralhome.com Gentry-Smith Funeral Home, 303 Murfreesboro Rd. Woodbury, TN 37190, 615-563-5337. Because every life has a story.