Gerald Wayne McDaniel

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Gerald Wayne McDaniel on Christmas Day, December 25, 2025 in Crawfordville, Florida.

Gerald was the fourth child born to E.R. (Ralph) Sr and Aquilla Touchton McDaniel on June 26, 1954 in Pavo, GA. He was raised in Doerun, GA. and graduated from Doerun High School in 1972. While a senior, he attended Moultrie Technical College and graduated in 1973 with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. He would use that degree throughout his lifetime to financially support his family while pastoring small churches that couldn't afford a full-time pastor.

Gerald trusted Christ as his Savior on September 22, 1974. From that moment on, his life was changed. God gave him a deep desire to study and learn God's word and was called to preach in October 1975. He furthered his theological education by attending Hyles-Anderson College and Indiana Bible College. Later in life, he finished his Bachelor's degree and also received a Master's degree from Andersonville Baptist Seminary. His greatest joys were telling others how they could know for sure they were going to heaven when they died and teaching Christians the Bible. Over the course of his lifetime, Gerald pastored five churches in four states and was an assistant in two others over the more than 50 years he was in the ministry. He published 13 books and had several others he wanted to finish, but his cancer diagnosis kept him from completing those.

In February 1976, he met his best friend and the love of his life Julie Ferguson, and they were married August 21, 1976 in Covington, Indiana. God blessed the two of them with 4 children and 9 grandchildren who he was so very proud of; Joanna (Chris) Burt with children Jordanna, Caleb, and Callie of Valdosta, Ga; Josiah (Azure) McDaniel of Statesboro, GA; Jonathan (Kristi) McDaniel with children Liam and Teagan of Doerun, GA; and Joy (Jason) Myers with children Benjamin, Philip, Lydia, and Levi of Colonial Heights, Va.

Gerald is also survived by his oldest sister, Jeannie (Raye) Barfield of Fort Valley, GA. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Ralph McDaniel Jr, his sister Terry McDaniel Folsom, and his baby brother Michael McDaniel who died as a newborn.

Gerald was known as a man who always looked on the positive side of life. He was constantly humming or singing a gospel hymn. He didn't complain and even when he was extremely sick many didn't realize how severe his illness really was.

In May of 2021, Gerald was diagnosed with cancer. He underwent several surgeries, many rounds of chemo, radiation, and scans, but that couldn't stop him from continuing the ministry that God gave him. He remained faithful to preach every service and visit the lost, some days when he could hardly get out of bed. He used his cancer to witness and encourage others fighting their own cancer battles. He spent many hours praying for the families of his church and for those he would meet. Gerald's great desire was for the lost to be saved and for Christians to reach their full potential for God. He fought a long hard fight, but God was finished with him here. "Well done, thou good and faithful servant."

His life verse was John 3:16. "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." He memorized that verse as a seven-year-old boy to get a piece of bubblegum from his Sunday School teacher. Years later at the age of twenty, God used that verse to show him his need of Christ as his only way to heaven. Throughout his lifetime, Gerald has encouraged many young children to memorize that verse in hopes that God would use that verse in their lives, as well.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, December 30, 2025 at Beulah Baptist Church, 55 Dr MLK Mem Rd, Crawfordville, FL. Visitation will be at 11:00AM followed with the funeral at 12:00PM. Burial will be held in the Lebanon Cemetery in Pavo, Georgia at 3:30PM.

In lieu of flowers, the family request donations in his memory given to Beulah Baptist Church PO Box 371 Crawfordville, FL 32327 or Big Bend Hospice 1723 Mahan Center Boulevard, Tallahassee, FL 32308.

Dayne Parker of Bevis Funeral Home (850-385-2193 or www.bevisfh.com) is assisting the McDaniel

family with their arrangements.