Shirley McDaniel

Shirley McDaniel

Shirley Long McDaniel, 89, passed away peacefully on Friday, November 7, 2025, in Bedford, Va. Born in Christiansburg, she was the beloved daughter of William Barnett Long, a World War I veteran who served in the Company B, 163rd Infantry, and Virginia Florence (Walters) Long. She was the cherished granddaughter of Jeremiah Myers Walters and Cora Belle Early.

A descendant of the Early family of Virginia, Shirley inherited the southern strength and spirit of her mother, Florence. Through family stories, the legacy of notable ancestors were preserved with the likes of Confederate General Jubal Anderson Early, whose nickname was "Lee's Bad Old Man" and was known for his fiery temper and aggressive battlefield tactics that played a key role in the 1864 Valley Campaign, leading daring raids into Maryland and threatening Washington, D.C. The Early family of Virginia left a lasting imprint on Virginia and the South, contributing to its military, political, and journalistic landscape. One of its members, Stephen Tyree Early, served as Franklin D. Roosevelt's White House Press Secretary from 1933 to 1945, shaping presidential communications and journalistic relations. Their legacy has been documented in works such as The Family of Early, Which Settled Upon the Eastern Shore of Virginia, written by Ruth H. Early of Lynchburg, Va.

After graduating from Christiansburg High School, Shirley moved to Washington, D.C., where she worked as a clerk. She later returned home and married Donald L. McDaniel of Radford, Va., who preceded her in death. Together, they settled in Bedford, Va., where Shirley lived for over five decades and raised three children: Don McDaniel, Carol Broesamle, and Rhonda Arthur (husband Tim Arthur). She was a devoted grandmother to Timothy Arthur, who carries forward her legacy.

Shirley was also preceded in death by her sisters, Charlotte Linkous and Barbara Sumner. She is survived by her sister, Lena Mae Smith, along with many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

She will be remembered for her kindness, resilience, and unwavering love for her family and friends. Her legacy lives on in the hearts of those she touched.

The family extends heartfelt gratitude to the residents and staff of Bedford County Nursing Home for their compassionate care and friendship in Shirley's final years and Centra Hospice.

A graveside service to honor Shirley's life will take place at Spring Hill Cemetery in Lynchburg, Va., on Tuesday, November 11, at 2 p.m.

Services are entrusted to Burch-Messier Funeral Home, 540-586-7360.