Shirley Moore Daniel was born in Augusta, Georgia on August 7, 1947 to the parentage of the late Charlie and Lula Moore. She left a legacy of love and compassion that will forever be cherished. Her passing on July 17, 2024, marked the end of a life filled with dedication and service to others.
A beacon of inspiration, Shirley was a shining example of perseverance and achievement. A graduate of Lucy Craft Laney High School, she went on to earn a Bachelors of Science in Social Studies from Paine College and Master in Counseling from University of Georgia. Shirley is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. Her thirst for knowledge and desire to help others guided her throughout her life.
In a love story that spanned over five decades, Shirley was married to her loving husband, Valdon Roosevelt Daniel, for 56 years. Their union was a testament to the power of love and commitment. Valdon and Shirley met at Paine College their first day of freshman year. Together they raised three wonderful children: Valdon R. Daniel, II (son), Valtra Daniel (daughter) and Valdamir Daniel (son), instilling in them the values of family, faith and perseverance.
Shirley's impact as an educator was profound, touching the lives of countless children in Clarke, Oglethorpe and Jackson counties. From her early days at Oglethorpe High School to her tenure at Cedar Shoal High School and time at Hilsman Middle School and guidance counselor for Jackson County, she was a pillar of strength and wisdom for her students. Alongside her beloved husband, Shirley co-hosted a radio show, “Parenting 101,” sharing valuable insights and guidance with the community for a decade.
A devoted member of Ebenezer Baptist Church, West, Shirley’s faith was a guiding light in her life. She started a dance ministry and led a girl scout troop for over 20 years, nurturing the spirits of young minds and hearts. She enjoyed many types of crafts, including knitting, embroidery, decorating gourds, painting, cooking and reading. Her love for crafts reflected her vibrant spirit and creativity, showcasing her talents and passions.
Shirley is preceded in death by parents, Charlie and Lula Moore; brothers, James Moore, Charles Moore and sister, Princess Moore; sisters in law, Pamela Daniel Jones and Neva Daniel Smith.
Shirley is survived by her husband, Valdon R. Daniel; children, Valdon R. (Maria) Daniel II, Valtra (Ramon Stokes) Daniel and Valdamir (Nneka) Daniel; grandsons, Colburn Brown Jr., Cordell (Maghany) Brown, Amir Daniel, Ahmaad (Alexis) Daniel, Aaron Daniel, Valdon Daniel III, and Julius Harris; granddaughters, Victoria Brown, Aliyah Daniel, Ananda Daniel and Naomi Harris; great grandchildren, Sir Daniel, Morgan Brown and Jenesis Daniel; sisters in law, Rozalin Jordan and Gertrude Daniel Roach; brother in law, Thomas G. Daniel Jr.; and host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
As we remember Shirley, we honor her as a remarkable woman whose kindness, wisdom and love touched all who knew her. Shirley's memory will forever be a source of inspiration and comfort, reminding us to live with purpose, love unconditionally, and cherish each moment we are given.
Celebration of Life services will be held at 11:00 AM, Friday, July 26, 2024 at Ebenezer Baptist Church, West, 205 N. Chase St., Athens, GA with interment in Athens Memory Garden.
Arrangements by Jackson-McWhorter Funeral Home.
The Loving Light Dishgarden was sent for Shirley M. Daniel - July 26, 2024
Yolanda Wimberly sent Red and White Handled Basket for Shirley M. Daniel - July 24, 2024
You are in our prayers during this difficult time. The Office of Health Equity at Grady Dr. Yolanda Wimberly, Taylor Dixon and Brianna Jones
Autry Curry sent Lily and Rose Tribute Spray for Shirley M. Daniel - July 24, 2024
Mrs Daniel's was a great teacher, we were blessed to have her. Praying for healing and understanding for the family! Autry Curry
Cedricia Hester sent Living Spirit Dishgarden for Shirley M. Daniel - July 24, 2024
Mr. Daniel and family, we send our deepest condolences and prayers for your family. We love you and praying for you all. Dramond, Cedricia, Davis and Caitlyn Hester
Beautiful Dreams was sent for Shirley M. Daniel - July 23, 2024
Jan Weinberg planted 5 trees in memory of Shirley M. Daniel . - July 25, 2024
To the Daniel Family, I am so very sorry for your loss and I am glad to have known Ms. Daniel. She was my Counselor at Cedar Shoals, and although technically she was not my assigned counselor.... I refused to see anyone but her ! Ms. Daniel was the best! She was always smiling, heels on, dressed up every day! I would say to myself when I graduate from college and start working "imma" be like Ms. Daniel be dressed up all the time! lol. But again I am so sorry for your loss, Ms.Daniel will definitely be missed. Praying for you all
To the Dainel Family, I just wanted to say how very sorry that I am over the loss of your loved one Mrs. Dainel, I remember Mrs. Dainel when I was a student at Hilsman Middle and we would exchange hellos and have small conversations and I remember her as a kind and a role model and she will forever be one of my favorite teachers from Hilsman Middle, May God bless you all during this time of bereavement, Miss Nita Johnson 🙏❤
Beautiful soul! My deepest condolences to the family. 🙏🏽 Marqueta R. Swain
My lovely cousin, may your soul rest in peace.
Valdon our deepest condolence to you and family. We cannot imagine the depth of this loss for you; your family is broken and will never be the same. Words cannot express the depth of sorrow we feel for your loss. Shirley was a remarkable woman who touched the lives of many. Someone who shared so much life with you will always be a part of you. Bonds like yours are forever. Shirley's presence in your life was a true blessing. Her memory will forever be a part of your story, and her love will continue to comfort you. May those wonderful memories comfort you during this heartbreaking time. Please know that we're thinking of you and hoping for healing wherever it is possible. I'm so sorry that we could not be there with you to say goodbye to Shirley but I will always have my personal memories of us growing up together on Tenth Street in Augusta. Your loss is deeply felt, and we extend our heartfelt sympathy and love to you and your family during this time of grief."
Bennie and Rosa Moore
"A great soul serves everyone all the time. A great soul never dies. It brings us together again and again." – Maya Angelou
My Deepest condolences an Sympathy goes out to my Former Teacher Mr Daniel / Family may God gives you All Strength doing this Hardship sincerely Yvonne Scott
I remember Mr. & Mrs. Daniels when they taught in Oglethorpe County. Shirley had a beautiful smile and I admired her for walking up and down the halls in those heels. She had a great personality and when she entered a room, it lit up. My condolences to the Daniels family during the loss of their love one. Stay strong and keep the faith. Memories last forever. Be Blessed
Beverly Taylor 284KC
Shirley Daniel was simply the best. She was a dedicated, loving, and truly concerned for all the students of Clarke County. She was a wonderful servant of the Lord working with the dance ministry, Girls Scouts, the Deaconess Ministry, Ladies League, and serving as a teacher at Ebenezer! She was a marvelous wife and mother, and grandmother. She was a dear friend! Many memories of her and Valdon of the many trips we went on with the students of BHL Middle School. Again, she was simply the best! Our deepest sympathy to her family!❤️❤️❤️
Mrs. Shirley Daniel was always friendly and smiling whenever I saw her and Mr. Daniel in the community. My condolences to Mr. Daniel, the family, and friends. ~Mildred Lyle
I had the honor of working with Shirley when I was a school counseling intern 28 years ago at Cedar Shoals. I was so fortunate to see her counseling practices firsthand. She was a dedicated counselor who tirelessly advocated for her students. When I started my career, I called her often for advice. She always took my call and gave me sound advice. She was an awesome mentor. As luck would have it, I married the son (Bobby Mitchell)of one of her longtime friends (Mable Mitchell). This allowed me to see her occasionally over the years. She was always a classy lady with an unforgettable smile and loving spirit. Her memory will live on in the infinite number of lives she touched. Praying for her family and everyone who feels a void with the loss of Shirley Daniel. Rose Mitchell
I had the pleasure of working with Shirley and her husband in Oglethprpe County. She was a great teacher and friend. Years later Mrs Daniel was part of our counseling department at Cedar Shoals H S. Her skills and tremendous concern for students was so very apparent in everything she did. It was my pleasure to have worked with her and her husband Valdon through our careers. She was our friend and my youngest child's counselor. Please know you all our in our prayers. George and Diana Pearson
Mr Daniel & Family I'm sorry for your loss.. Hang in there Sir Pray 🙏🏽 and hold on to Gods unchanging hand... It will get better with time. The will be rough for awhile but just keep on praying! I love you all and if you need ANYTHING! We will ALWAYS be here for you The Bowers Family Rose Street
My condolences to the family. Mrs Daniel was a great teacher and person. Regina Sanders Dalton
To Valdon & Family, Please know that our prayers and heart felt thoughts are with you. So sorry to learn of Your loss. May God strengthen you in this time of sorrow. Alfred & Gerri Murray
Mrs. Daniel was one of the most influential women I've known. I participated in her Girl Scout Troop back in 99-00 when I was 10-11 yrs of age. Being apart of her troop will always be an ingrained core memory that'll never leave. Her faith, strength and wisdom taught me how walk and talk with purpose. Mrs. Daniel thank you so so much for spreading knowledge and inspiration amongst our communities...a job well done!
My sincere condolences to the family I remember her sweet spirit when I would visit the home of Pam. Love the family.E Diane
My condolences to Mr. Daniel and family. Mrs. Daniel was a remarkable woman. I always call them out as a couple on how great of an impact and advice that was given to me and others as a teacher, as a wife and a counselor in her own way while in Oglethorpe County. A woman with a bubbly personality. She entrusted me to baby sit their first child at a young age. That stuck with me. Thank God for allowing her to cross my path. She is truly God's angel now. Mr. Daniel, God bless you for being the husband that God wanted you to be. Being by her side through thick and thin. God Bless you and yours. Love and peace to the family.
The world will definitely miss Shirley. She was a shining star. Pat Fowler
Sorry to hear about her passing. One of the best teacher's at Oglethorpe County. I loved her dearly.
My deepest condolences go out to the Daniel family. Mrs. Daniel was a huge inspiration and mentor for me. I have the utmost respect, admiration and love for her. She made a lasting impact on countless young people. My God keep handholding the family during their time of bereavement.
I'm Honored To Say She Was My Favorite Teacher Such A Loving Spirited Person Forever In My Heart 💖
Mr. Daniel, we are so sorry to hear of the passing of Mrs. Daniel!! She always had a beautiful smile and kind words to share. Our heart felt condolences to you and your family. The Craig Family
I am so sorry to see this. Shirley was such a wonderful and vibrant person. When I was the director of the Suspension Reduction Program for Clarke County schools, Shirley was one of my first hires. She had been teaching but wanted to get into the counseling side of things. This was a federally funded program and we had what were called interns in each middle school and high school to work with kids and teachers to help prevent suspensions, particularly among minority students because of the disproportionality that existed. The interns were paid like interns. Shirley took a pretty big pay cut to work with us. When Reagan became president, he changed the funding formulas, and desegregation funds were eliminated. That was where our money came from. So, the program ended even though it was quite successful. About then, Shirley began her master's program in counseling. Meanwhile, I taught at Clarke Central for a year and then went to Jackson County High School in Jefferson as the only counselor in the school system. One of the reasons I went there was because I was told that the board had committed itself to provide counseling in the elementary schools. At the time, the school system had one high school and five K-8 schools. One of my first tasks, I was told in the interview, would be to hire one counselor to serve the five elementary schools. That was groundbreaking. The only school system anywhere around us that had elementary counseling at that time was Gwinnett County. We hired a counselor, but we were going to ultimately have counselors in all the elementary schools and it wasn't going to be long before that happened. I called Shirley every few months to remind her that I wanted her to come to work in Jackson County when she finished her program and she did. She was truly a wonderful counselor. She also helped me and my family in another way. Our middle daughter, Kalli, was in a preschool program. One day she came home and said she didn't like "dark people." Apparently, somebody had been mean to her. So, I called Shirley and asked her to spend some time with Kalli. Shirley picked her up and took her to lunch and Kalli loved her. Kalli never said anything negative about "dark people" again. Eventually, Shirley went to work in Clarke County and I lost touch with her. I'm sorry about that. There are so many people who I would like to stay in touch with, but we just don't do that. Still in all, Shirley is still with me, with Kalli, and with countless kids who are grown-ups now.
Mr. Daniel we are so sorry to hear of the passing of Mrs. Daniel. She always had a beautiful smile and kind words to share! Our heart felt condolences to you and your family!!
Your vibrant spirit and words of wisdom will be forever cherished. Reflections Hair Salon will keep your family in our prayers. Mr. Daniel thank you for sharing Ms. Shirley with us for so many years.
~Janice Mathis (Dede)
Sending our sincere prayers and condolences to the family - The Griffiths.
Mrs. Shirley Daniel was the greatest school teacher a student could ever have. May God comfort and keep her family and give them strength 🙏❤ With deepest sympathy The Stone Family
We are so sorry for your loss well keep the family in our prayers 🙏 from Sylvester and Erin Jones
Our staff will continue to keep your family in our prayers. We thank you for allowing us to serve your family.