TBA Law Blog


Posted by: Azya Thornton on Oct 30, 2024

Sharon J. Bell, retired Knox County chancellor, died Oct. 27 at the age of 80. Bell earned her law degree from the University of Tennessee College of Law and served in the Tennessee House of Representatives from 1978 to 1982 before becoming a judge on the Knox County General Sessions Court, where she served for four years. In 1986, she was elected as the first woman chancellor in the state of Tennessee. She retired from the bench in 2006. Throughout her career, Bell handled a range of cases, including adoptions and family law. She also dealt with high-profile issues, such as a dispute over public records held by the Knox County Sheriff’s Office and the role of the county law director in relation to the school board. Read more about Bell’s life in an article from News 10. Memorial services will be held at Rose Funeral & Cremation – Mann, 6200 Kingston Pike, Knoxville 37919 on Nov. 2 at 2 p.m. EDT with visitation from 1 to 2 p.m. Memorial donations may be made to the Humane Society of Tennessee Valley, P.O. Box 51723 Knoxville, TN 37950.