Shirley Jean Tindell Black

Shirley Jean Tindell Black, 90, passed away Monday, May 19, 2025, surrounded by her family. A native Knoxvillian, she was born February 1, 1935 to William Thomas Tindell, Sr. and Maude Braswell Tindell.
Shirley was a graduate of Knox Central High School class of 1953. There she met Joe Black who became her best friend and married June 8, 1954. He passed away 3 days short of their sixty-sixth wedding anniversary in 2020. She was an active member of Fountain City United Methodist Church where they were married and raised their four children. For almost 70 years, she and Joe were members of the Christian Homebuilders Sunday school class, where she spent some time as president.
Except for years away while Joe was in medical school in Memphis and military service stationed in Biloxi, MS, Shirley and Joe were proud to call Fountain City home. Shirley grew up on Gibbs Road – where she enjoyed an idyllic tomboy childhood – and attended Fountain City Elementary School. At Central High School, Shirley was a cheerleader, played basketball, and was a band sponsor. A natural athlete, she enjoyed several sports including golf and tennis. An avid UT football fan (through good and bad), she was a season ticketholder since 1963. She loved all sports, always watching football, basketball, tennis, and especially golf on television. She and Joe played golf at courses all over the United States while traveling by themselves and with friends. They were able to travel the world together but always enjoyed coming home. She and the family showed Saddlebred horses during the 1970's showing her harness pony to a world championship in Louisville, KY. If she was not in her "office", the kitchen, she enjoyed her time in her flower gardens where she definitely had a green thumb.
Shirley was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and aunt. The true definition of humble strength and steadfast love, she will be dearly missed by her daughter Jan Deaderick (Rick); sons Dr. Steven Black (fiancé Wendy) of Gainesville, GA and David Black of New York, NY; daughter-in-law Dr. Monica Black; grandchildren: Richard, Stuart, Laurel, Joseph, Grace, William, Megan, Emily, and Ava; and great-grandchildren Robin, Henry, Lucy, Jameson, John David, and Saoirse. sisters-in-law Deborah Black and Betty Dyke, many beloved nieces and nephews, extended family, and special life-long friends survive her.
She is preceded in death by her parents, sisters Mary Elizabeth Tunnell, and Margaret Harrison; brothers William Tindell, Jr., John Tindell, and Robert Tindell; husband Dr. Joe W. Black Jr and son Dr. Joe W. Black III – her "Joes."
A Celebration of Shirley's Life will be held Wednesday, May 28, 2025 at Fountain City United Methodist Church beginning at 6 PM, with a receiving of friends to follow. Rev Jim Whedbee and Rev Rachel Collins will officiate. Burial will be private.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to the Christian Homebuilders Sunday School class and the many friends for their continued support throughout Shirley's last years. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that any donations be made in Shirley's memory to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital (501 St. Jude’s Place Memphis, TN 38105) or Fountain City United Methodist Church (212 Hotel Rd Knoxville, TN 37918) or to a charity of your choice.
Gentry Griffey Funeral Chapel is honored to serve the Black family and invites you to view and sign the online registry.