Joe William Black

Dr. Joe William Black, Jr., 86, passed away June 5, 2020. A native Knoxvillian, he was born November 29, 1933 to Joe William, Sr. and Jeanette Armstrong Black. Joe was a graduate of Central High School Class of 1951. There he met Shirley Tindell, who became his best friend and with whom he would have celebrated sixty-six years of marriage on June 8, 2020. He was an active member of Fountain City United Methodist Church where they were married, and for over 60 years, he and Shirley were members of the Christian Homebuilders Sunday school class. Joe attended Tennessee Military Institute and UT Knoxville before entering UT College of Medicine at Memphis where he graduated in 1957. He completed his internship at UT Medical Center in Knoxville followed by a residency in pediatrics at The University of Tennessee in Memphis. He was proud to have served as a Captain in the United States Air Force at Keesler Air Force Base following his medical training. He then returned to Knoxville in 1962 where he founded his pediatric practice which became known as Drs. Black and Benton. He practiced for thirty-six years, eleven of which were with his son Dr. Joe W. Black, III and daughte...[more]

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n-law Dr. Monica Black. During his time in practice he touched many lives. Not only was he a beloved pediatrician who took care of thousands of children throughout the region (in some cases multiple generations of the same family), he was a mentor, leader and all-around encourager to anyone he met. Many future physicians spent time with Joe, and he motivated many others to pursue their dreams outside the medical field. He served the University of Tennessee in several ways. He was a clinical instructor in pediatrics, President of the UT College of Medicine Alumni Association 1990-1992, and was a member of the medical school admissions committee for many years. Joe was proud to call Fountain City home and was named Fountain City Man of the Year in 2004. He was a man of many hobbies and passions. He was an Eagle scout, the oldest of six in the family. He was a loyal UT Vol fan who traveled throughout the country to support the University of Tennessee and held football season tickets since 1962. He and the family showed Saddlebred horses during the 1970's, and Joe returned to the ring again after age 80 to show road ponies. Tennis, golf, and working in the yard were activities in which he found much enjoyment. Joe and Shirley also enjoyed traveling the country and world with friends. His greatest passions were his faith, family and friends. He always called you "pard," and no matter who he was to you - Joe, Dad, Poppy, Pop, Uncle Joe, Dr. Joe, or Dr. Black - he had a natural way of making you feel special and always cared for whenever you were with him. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother, uncle and mentor. He will be dearly missed by his wife Shirley; daughter Jan Deaderick; sons Dr. Steven Black (Gainesville, GA) and David Black (New York, NY); daughter-in-law Dr. Monica Black; grandchildren: Richard, Stuart, Laurel, Joseph, Grace, William, Megan, Emily, and Ava; and great-grandsons Robin and Henry. He is also survived by sisters Janice James and Deborah Black; and sister-in-law Betty Dyke; and many loved nieces, nephews, extended family, dear friends, and his four-legged best friends Barney Black and Pedro, the pony. He is preceded in death by his parents, brother Edward D. Black, and son Dr. Joe W. Black III. Family and friends will meet at Lynnhurst Cemetery on Friday, June 12 at 3:00 pm for a graveside service with Reverend Tom Ballard officiating. A celebration of Joe's life will be held at a later date. The family would like to extend a special thank you to the Christian Homebuilders Sunday School class and many friends for their continued support throughout Joe's illness. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that any donations be made in Joe's memory to St Jude's Children's Research Hospital (501 St. Jude Place Memphis, TN 38105) or to a charity of your choice. Gentry Griffey Funeral Chapel is honored to serve the Black family and invites you to sign the online registry.