Tommy McDaniel

Tommy Barlow McDaniel, 84, of New Albany, Mississippi, passed away on November 25, 2025, surrounded by his loved ones.

Funeral services are 11:00 am Saturday, November 29, 2025, at McAdams Baptist Church. Visitation is 10:00 am until service time at the church. Burial will be at Coleman Cemetery.

Born on May 27, 1941, to Willie Mae and Fulton Vernon McDaniel, Tommy grew up in McAdams, Mississippi. He graduated from McAdams High School and earned a degree in Drafting from Holmes Community College. He devoted more than 40 years of his career to serving as a lineman and serviceman with MP&L/Entergy.

Tommy had a deep love for the outdoors, seeing God's gift all around. He enjoyed fishing, gardening, and sharing those simple pleasures with his family. In 1993, he founded the Ole McDaniel Christmas Tree Farm in McAdams, Mississippi. What began as a small dream grew into a place of joy for his family and community. Though the farm is no longer active, it remains a treasured part of his legacy, and for many years, his family gathered there every weekend from Thanksgiving through Christmas to create cherished memories together.

Tommy's greatest love was Jesus. He was a member of First Baptist Church of New Albany, where he enjoyed attending services with his wife and loved hearing his daughter, Pam, sing in the choir. He also faithfully served as Chairman of the Deacons, taught Sunday School, and sang in the choir at McAdams Baptist Church. His deep faith shaped every part of his life, and his steady example touched countless lives over the years.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 59 years, Jonell McDaniel. He is survived by his wife, Linda Defer McDaniel; his children, Pam McDaniel Brown (Michael), Melinda McDaniel Wells (Jerry), and Michael David McDaniel (Emily); and his grandchildren, Wes Brown (Betsy), Shelby Brown, Cortland Earl, Haley Mayhan (Andrew), Logan Wells (Autumn), Addy Steele (Nathan), and Caroline Namey (Kevin). He is also survived by seven great-grandchildren, who brought him immense joy.

His legacy of faith, hard work, and unwavering love for his family and community will continue to live on in all who knew him.