Janice Arlene Mcdaniel

Today we lost one of the good ones. Simply known as “mom “ to everyone who met her until later in life when she was known as Granny. She will be deeply missed by all who were lucky enough to know her.

Janice Arlene McDaniel, age 86, peacefully passed away in her sleep on Sunday, May 19, 2024. Mom was born on September 21, 1937, in Kittanning, Pennsylvania the daughter to the late Floyd and Pearl Anthony.

Having lived in multiple locations across the country, Mom moved to Lake City, Florida, in the 50s, and then as a young adult, she moved to the metro Atlanta area, where she married the love of her life, Bobby Lee McDaniel.

The marriage was blessed with four children; Corky, Belinda, Dusty, and Debbi.   Mom and Bobby loved each other and enjoyed entertaining at home, going to clubs, fishing, and camping. Card games, like hearts, spades, and euchre were her favorites.

She was an avid reader, foodie, and dog mom who loved to be outdoors, tending to the yard, flowers, and her shrubbery.

A lifelong learner, she started her work career as a licensed beautician. Then, was very involved with computers as the tech industry was getting off the floor. She eventually became an administrator at Smyrna Hospital in Cobb County.

A Yankee by birth, I dare say she could give any grand Southern lady a run for their money. We were lucky that she was a great cook. She was always tinkering in the kitchen. While her lasagna and lemon chicken were always memorable occasions, Mom’s breakfast meals are the stuff of legend. Particularly the ones that started around 1 AM Saturday after a game of cards. She could be a real party girl.

She was happiest with a well-stocked fridge and family crowded around her dining table. Even just sitting on the porch, turned into a fun time with family, friends, and of course food.

Mom had a knack for connecting with people. She touched many lives. An unrelenting advocate for being who you are and doing what you want. Loud, funny, intelligent, but sometimes could still be as mean as a hornet. She rarely held back on her opinion and had a knack for telling it like it was.

The family home served as a community gathering spot year-round. The doors were never locked and local kids had an open invitation to step in anytime. Her home was open to all comers as was easily attested to by the many who attended holiday get-togethers for food, drink, and sport and then left feeling like part of the family. She never met a stranger.

Along with her parents, Mom is preceded in death by her husband, Bobby Lee McDaniel, and her daughter-in-law Kay McDaniel.

She is survived by her four loving children; son, Corky McDaniel (Judy), of Talking Rock, Georgia; daughter, Belinda Shirley (Jim), of Acworth, Georgia; son, Dusty McDaniel of Woodstock, Georgia; daughter, Debbi Moore (Gary), of Smyrna, Georgia; 9 Grandchildren; Chris Morris, Scott Morris (Tonya), Crystal Callwood, Stacy Burdette, Kyle Shirley, Bobby McDaniel, Stephanie Kantor (Craig), Brandy Bradley (Trent), and Dustin Moore; 6 great-grandchildren, Owen and Evan Morris, Miles Callwood, Mason McDaniel, Jaylynn Moore, and Jakson Moore along with many friends.

At her request, in her final wishes, Mom chose to be cremated and will be intered next to her mother, Rosetta Pearl Blackstone, at Georgia Memorial Cemetery in Cobb County at a later date. The family will host a Celebration of Life ceremony at a time and place still to be determined.

While the last few years of Mom‘s life were a struggle, she continued to read her Bible, cherish the warm embrace of friends, her girls at Rock Creek, and find comfort whenever surrounded by conversation, laughter, dogs, and butterflies.

We will forever hold dear in our hearts the memories you gave us. You were one of a kind!

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