Virginia Campbell McDaniel

Virginia Campbell McDaniel, 101, of San Antonio passed away on December 15, 2018 at her residence in The Forum at Lincoln Heights, attended by her loving family. Virginia was born on August 26, 1917 in Camden, Arkansas, daughter of Lillian Campbell and Guy Campbell, both of whom preceded her in death, as did her older brother Guy Luckett Campbell and her younger brother Thomas Edward Campbell, who gave his life in World War II. She met the love of her life, John Byrd McDaniel, Jr., a few years her senior, in Camden High School, and while he subsequently pursued a distinguished career academically and athletically at Tulane University, he waited for his "sweetheart back home." Shortly after her eighteenth birthday, they married in Camden on August 30, 1936. After living several years in New Orleans, they spent shorter stints elsewhere during John Byrd's WWII naval service. In these months their precious daughter Linda was born. After the war they moved to San Antonio where John Byrd ("Johnny" to the family) pursued a distinguished business career while Virginia was a consummate homemaker. Here they were blessed with the birth of their son, Jay. Through the years, living in Alamo Heights and then Terrell Hills, they raised their children and sent them successfully through college and into marriage. To the McDaniels, the larger community was an "extended family." They were lifetime contributors to Alamo Heights United Methodist Church and many civic organizations. Informally, with groups of friends Virginia participated in book clubs, sewing clubs, and volunteer activity at her church. Through her remarkable empathy, interest in other people, sense of humor, and zest for life, Virginia cultivated close and longtime friendships. "She is everybody's best friend," they would say. Virginia was preceded in death by John Byrd in 1995. She is survived by her daughter Linda and her husband Tom, her son Jay and his wife Kathy, and her five grandchildren and eight great grandchildren. With the latter she enjoyed one of her richest roles as their beloved "Mano." She pridefully followed each of them individually, knew their stories, and was their friend. The grandchildren are Linda's daughters, Suzanne Youngkin (husband Glenn), Beth Robison (husband Chase), and Cynda Wroten (husband Eric); and Jay's sons, John Byrd (fiancée Clara Schwager) and Matthew (wife Lisa). Virginia's great grandchildren are Grant, Anna, John, Thomas, Braxton, Kate, Luke and Gil. She is also survived by niece Cynthia Campbell and nephew Bob Campbell, as well as her beloved nephew, a friend to her for life, John McDaniel Wheeler. Her quality of life in recent years has been enriched by her devoted caregiver Joyce Hernandez. The two of them formed a team of friendship and service for the Forum community where she lived. Over a year ago Virginia was a lively honoree at her 100th birthday party and she toasted another birthday last August. Her inimitable life was guided by a sense that all people everywhere are encircled by a Holy Spirit of love and tenderness, and that this spirit gives everybody an opportunity to re-invent their lives, moment by moment, relative to age and changing circumstances. She was 101 years young in her heart, and will be an enduring inspiration for those who loved her and learned from her. In her words at age 99: "My constant prayer is to be blessed to be a blessing. So, helping others and enjoying the friendships – that's my life at ninety-nine." And it was her life at 101 as well. It is her life even now. A Celebration of Virginia's Life will be held on Wednesday, January 16, 2019 at 10:00 A.M. in the Garden Chapel at Alamo Heights United Methodist Church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Alamo Heights United Methodist Church.