Gailya Dawn von Weisenstein

Gailya Dawn (Jordan) von Weisenstein died on May 1, 2026, in Nashville, Tennessee, at the age of 89. A woman whose heart was as large as her family, she is survived by four generations of loved ones whom she cherished deeply. This legacy includes her son, Tom von Weisenstein (Bridget) of Brentwood, TN; grandson, Ian von Weisenstein; her brother, Herschel Jordan (Marge) of Madison, AL; and a beloved extended family of cousins, nieces, great-nieces and nephews, and great-great-nephews. She is preceded in death by her husband, John von Weisenstein; her parents, George Olen and Essie Leona (Trimble) Jordan; and her infant brother, George Edwin Jordan.

Dawn was born on May 5, 1936, in southwest Cullman County, Alabama, to George Olen and Essie Leona Jordan. Raised on the family farm, she often regaled her family with stories of her early years—from the physically demanding work of picking cotton to the simpler times before her home had indoor plumbing or electricity, which only arrived after World War II. These experiences cultivated a lifelong work ethic of which she was immensely proud.

She graduated from Cullman High School in 1954 and went on to earn a Dental Hygiene Certificate from the University of Alabama in 1956. Later in life, as a dedicated adult learner, she earned a BS in Education in 1985 and an MS in Adult Education in 1987, both from the University of Tennessee. She married the love of her life, John von Weisenstein, on June 14, 1961; the couple remained devoted to one another until John’s passing in 2018.

Throughout her long life, Dawn was a dedicated professional and a natural leader in every endeavor she undertook. She maintained lifelong activism with various state and national Dental Hygiene Associations. As she moved from Huntsville, Alabama, to Knoxville, Brentwood, and finally Nashville, Tennessee, Dawn became a cornerstone of every community she joined. Once they retired, she and John loved nothing more than hitting the road and traveling together. Dawn was also the family’s dedicated genealogist—she was the one who tracked down all our stories and kept them safe, which is exactly why we’re able to share so many wonderful details about her life today.

Dawn was passionate about Alabama Football—a lifelong “Roll Tide” fan and member of the University of Alabama Alumni Association—and found great peace and relaxation at her favorite vacation spot, Ft. Walton Beach, Florida. She was a generous and dedicated individual who loved her heritage and was skilled at leadership and service.

She was an active and devout member of the Methodist faith for her entire life, most recently at Belmont United Methodist Church, and previously at Brentwood UMC and Church Street UMC in Knoxville. She was particularly proud of her 50+ year involvement with the United Methodist Women (UMW), where she held numerous leadership roles and served for years as the supervisor of the Third Thursday Soup Kitchen Team at Church Street UMC.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Belmont United Methodist Church, 2007 Acklen Ave, Nashville, TN 37212, on June 13th at 11:00 a.m., with a private interment to follow at Shedd Cemetery in Cullman, Alabama.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are encouraged to:

Soup Kitchen Ministry – Church Street United Methodist Church: churchstreetumc.org

Belmont United Methodist Church:  belmontumc.org/about/give-to-belmont-umc

Vanderbilt Health (Ingram Cancer Center or Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital): give.vanderbilthealth.org

Arrangements are in the care of: Compassion Funeral & Cremation Services, 6949 Charlotte Pike, Suite 104, Nashville, TN 37209. (615) 857-9955.