Sheila Diane Jordan

(Knoxville, Tenn.) Sheila Diane Jordan passed away from a short illness on February 8, 2026. Diane was born in Knoxville, TN, on March 9, 1947, to Ernestine F. Taylor and James Anderson. Diane graduated from Austin High School in 1965. She attended Knoxville College and Tennessee State College where she majored in Mathematics.

Diane was employed by Delta Airlines as a reservationist for 22 years. In 1989, Diane was appointed to the Knox County Election Commission by State Representative Joe Armstrong. She was the first African American woman to be elected to the Knox County Commission, where she served 4 terms from 1994 -2007. She spent her time in elected office advocating for education, economic equity and voting rights. Diane helped bring Pellissippi State College to East Knoxville. She served on the board of the Beck Culture Exchange Center and the Austin-Austin East Association, and was a member of the Red Hat Society and Concerned Mothers. She has been a member of the Motley Crew Community Luncheon-Knoxville since 2017.  On July 22, 2017, the Tennessee Black Caucus of State Legislatures renamed a state bridge in Diane’s honor. She was also a Knox County Sheriff Special Deputy, among other community service involvements.

As a woman of faith, one of her most cherished roles was serving as First Lady of Peace and Goodwill Missionary Baptist Church alongside her husband, Rev. John B. Jordan, Sr. for 31 years. She lived her faith as she opened her home and her heart to numerous family members, friends and those in need; her home was their home. Diane is preceded in death by her mother, father, two brothers: Kevin T. Taylor Sr. and Ronald Anderson, one sister: Patricia Hatch, Aunts: Nema Easterly and Iva Lattimore, Uncles: William and C.J. Taylor, and Brother-in-law: J.D. Smith.

She leaves to mourn her passing: Husband: Rev. John B. Jordan Sr., loving sons: Toi Melvin, Michael (Priscilla) Badgett, Jamal (LeeAnn) Badgett, Josh (daughter Camilla) Jordan and John Jr. (Belinda) Jordan, Sisters: Cynthia Smith, Knox, TN, Jamesena Yip, Phyllis Jones of Philadelphia, PA, Grandchildren: Toqushia Melvin including 14 other grandchildren, Sister-in-laws: Tina Robinson, Candice Miller, and Diann Freeman, Brothers-in-law: Rev. Ricky (Connie) Freeman, and James (Bull) Jordan, Devoted nieces and nephews: Sherry Taylor, Shekia (Ashaundae) Bowen, Kevin (LaToyia) Taylor Jr., Troy (Torrie) Hatch, Angela (Clarence) Billingsley of Atlanta, Valrie Fugate of Chattanooga, Robin (Eric) Clark of Iowa, Milton, Sean, Allen, Michael, Mark, Tony and Victoria Yip, Devoted cousins: Charlotte (Shalickey) Taylor, Freda (Willie J.) Johnson, Anthony & Leonard Lattimore, Angela Satterfield, Jackie Flack, and Michelle Little, the McBath, Anderson and E.V. Boseman family of South Carolina, the Warren and Penson families and many, many other family members too numerous to name. Peace and Goodwill Missionary Baptist Church Family Godchildren: The Blue Family, and JaBarr Whitehead, Devoted friends: Judy Burke, Ella Fortson, Darlene Siler, Gail Carter, Carla Ballenger-Stubbs, Rosa & Jackie Jones, and Marla Higginbotham.

The family would like to say a special “Thank you” to the caring staff at the University of Tennessee Medical Center.

As we celebrate the life and legacy of Lady Diane Jordan, remember to live and love as she did. Keep God first, love your family, and serve your community.

Public viewing will be on Friday, February 20, 2026 from 10 am to 8 pm at Jarnigan & Son Mortuary, 2328 Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37914. Family will receive friends Saturday, February 21, 2026, from 11am to 1 pm at Overcoming Believers Church 211 Harriet Tubman St, Knoxville TN 37915, followed by a celebration of life officiated by Reverend Harold Middlebrook. Interment will be Monday, February 23, 2026, at 12:30 pm at East Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery, 2200 E Governor John Sevier Hwy, Knoxville, TN 37920.

Final arrangements entrusted to Jarnigan & Son Mortuary, 2823 Martin Luther King Jr Ave. Knoxville, TN 37914