Kay McDaniel

Cleveland - TN Kay McDaniel, who carried her childhood dream of playing tennis to stardom, died January 3, 2025 at the age of 67 in Chattanooga, TN. She is predeceased by her parents, Bill & Frances McDaniel and grandparents, Judge Owen and Frances Thomas and Dr. Bryan & Carolyn McDaniel, of Abilene, Texas.

She is survived by two brothers, John McDaniel (Sid), Alexandria, and Judge Bryan McDaniel (Jackie), Baton Rouge, niece Currey (Brendan) Bayard of Baton Rouge, nephews Thomas (Kristen) McDaniel of Nashville, Cade (Jessica) McDaniel of Alexandria, and Drew (Leslie) McDaniel of Houston and 12 great nephews and nieces. She is also survived by best friend and sister in Christ, Tracey Carlson of Cleveland, Tennessee.

Kay grew up in Shreveport, a dynamic personality and natural athlete with a strong competitive spirit. She purchased her first tennis racket with 5,000 green stamps at the age of 11. Seeing her natural talent, her parents engaged Jerry Montgomery as coach and before long she was competing, her mother sewing all her tennis outfits. Soon, she was ranked #1 in the South in age divisions, 14, 16 and 18. She was LA High School State Champion (Captain Shreve High), 3-time All American (1976-78), #1 for Louisiana State University in singles and doubles, reaching top national collegiate ranking.

After turning pro Kay represented the U.S. at major tournaments (Wimbledon, U.S. Open, French Open), competing against such players as Billie Jean King, Evonne Goolagong, Chris Evert, Martina Navratilova, and Steffi Graff, playing doubles with Pam Shriver, achieving Top World Professional Ranking, #20 in doubles and #30 in singles. She was the first female to receive the Concorde Award for the Fastest Serve in Professional Tennis. However, her most cherished achievement was her relationship with Jesus Christ, later authoring a devotional book, "Serving the Master".

After the professional circuit, Kay received her B.S. in Biblical Studies from Lee University (Cleveland, Tennessee) and her M.S.S. from the U.S. Sports Academy. In 1991, Kay joined Lee University as Men and Women's Tennis Coach and was professor for 26 years in the College of Education. She cherished advising students, matching their gifts with potential career paths.

During her tennis career and after, Kay met many physical challenges, which she endured with typical perseverance. She was devoted to her Emmaus faith community, inspiring others through motivational talks.

For 31 years, Kay spearheaded free summer Kay McDaniel Tennis Clinics sponsored by Lee University to give every child the opportunity to learn her beloved sport while encountering the unconditional love of God through daily gospel themes. In 2022, she published a children's book, entitled: 'Be a Dream Chaser", inspiring kids to "DREAM BIG" by sharing her own story. Countless lives have been impacted by her passion and love for her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. She will be sorely missed.

Her funeral was Saturday, January 11, officiated by Dr. Paul Conn, President of Lee University and Pastor Kevin Mendel, Grace Community Church.

Internment will take place on Friday, January 17 at 1:30 PM at Forest Park Cemetery East, 3700 St. Vincent Ave., Shreveport, La.

In lieu of flowers, family suggests donations to Lee University (www.leeuniversity.edu/give/) to establish a scholarship in Kay's name or to Fellowship of Christian Athletes (www.ocoeefca.org) sponsor of future Kay McDaniel Tennis Clinics.