Deborah Ann McDaniel

 

Deborah Ann McDaniel finished well her journey on earth and entered into the presence and joy of her Lord in heaven on July 31, 2022, after being hospitalized for more than three weeks at Christus Highland Medical Center in Shreveport.

 

She was born August 30, 1958 in Monroe to Gerald and Joan McDaniel. After graduation from River Oaks High School in Monroe in 1976, she entered the medical technology program at Northeast Louisiana University, which she completed in 1980. Her clinical training was at LSU Health Sciences Center in Shreveport, where she remained on the staff until her retirement in 2015. She worked many years in the blood bank before transferring to the procurement office of the Laboratory Administration.

 

Debbie had courageously battled autoimmune diseases since her teenage years, but continued to lead an active life in which she had a rewarding career and served others, influencing them in significant ways. Since 1986 she had been a member of Broadmoor Baptist Church, where she worked several years in the children’s Sunday School and Vacation Bible School. More recently she was a member of the Seekers Class, taught by Marcia Harper, where she took on the task of sending cards to visitors and bereaved members, painstakingly choosing the right words to express her thoughts. At the time of her passing she was the longtime treasurer on the board of Jackson Square Townhouse Home Owners Association.

 

Though Debbie was never an extrovert, she met and related to people easily. Those who knew her recognized her as a loyal friend who was always eager to hear about their lives and listen to their problems. She was loved by many and will be missed greatly by many!  Though never a mother, she was a lover of children and a strong supporter of children’s causes. As well, she loved animals of all kinds, particularly cats. Over the years several stray cats became her pets. At home she greatly enjoyed reading, doing needlepoint and cross-stitch creations, many of which adorned the walls of her house; watching old movies on television, collecting milk glass and figurines, and caring for her many pot plants and flowers. She took great pride in creating beautiful packages for Christmas and birthday gifts. Her two cats, Murphy and Max, and her plants, are now orphans!  

 

Debbie is survived by her brother, Wayne McDaniel and his wife Becky; her nephew Taylor McDaniel and his wife Jordan, all of West Monroe, and her “significant other” for 35 years, Larry Slay of Shreveport.

 

Her family and friends will celebrate her life and homegoing with a memorial service in Memorial Chapel of Broadmoor Baptist Church at 2 p.m., Saturday, August 6, 2022. Officiating will be Dr. Larry Slay, with memories of Debbie shared by Wayne McDaniel. Visitation will be from 1 to 2 p.m. in the chapel. It was her wish to cremated. Her remains will be placed in the mausoleum of Mulhearn Memorial Park in Monroe, a short distance from the graves of her parents just outside the building.

 

We are grateful to Dr. Larry Broadwell, Dr. Marion Milstead, Dr. Sherin Mercer, Dr. Steven Whited, and Dr. Paul Crawford, for their outstanding medical care of Debbie over the years; to Dr. Steven Maxwell, hospitalist at Christus Highland, for his excellent and thoughtful care of her in the last week; to the nursing staff of the hospital for the hours they spent in attending to her medical needs with such competence; and to Dr. David Dies and the physicians of Gastrointestinal Specialists for their efforts on her behalf in her final illness. Please consider making any contributions in Debbie’s memory to Shreveport-Bossier Animal Rescue, 431 Kings Hwy, Shreveport, LA 71104, or to any other organization dedicated to animal care or children.