Lee Roy McDaniel

1936 - 2021

Lee Roy McDaniel

March 13, 1936 - February 17, 2021

On the cold winter morning of February 17, 2021, Lee Roy ascended to his eternal home.

I want to tell you a love story about this wonderful, kind, loving, and true southern gentleman who was loved by so many. The year was 1966, I was 25 years old and was hoping to meet a life partner. As I was getting older (the old expression, "long in the tooth"), I was getting worried that I would not meet a man to spend my life with and prayed to God to send me a life partner. God answers prayers, as I met Lee Roy on a blind date in November 1966 and it was love at first sight. I truly mean we met on a totally blind date – no formal introductions from friends or family members. A friend gave him my phone number and he called me and it was love from the "get go". He proposed on Valentine's Day and we married on June 24, 1967. For 53 years, we had a wonderful life together. We traveled to many places both in the United States and foreign lands and enjoyed so many family reunions, meals, and fellowship with our church family, families, and friends.

Lee Roy was a very talented person. He could take something as simple as an egg, whether it was from a chicken, an ostrich, emu, or any kind of fowl, and turn it into a thing of beauty that was almost unbelievable. Many years ago, the Roanoke Times featured him in an article about his egg art which he enjoyed for over 40 years. So many friends were made across the United States and around the world through the International Egg Art Guild.

He was a long-time member of Central United Methodist Church, Salem, and served as head usher for many years. With a twinkle in his eye and a smile on his face, he would greet everyone who came to worship; he just made you happy to be in his presence. He graduated from Fincastle High School and Southern Business College and worked 30+ years as an administrative assistant in the personnel department at Norfolk Southern Corporation. Retiring from NS in 1993, he so loved working with his flowers and home landscaping projects. For 15 plus years, he volunteered in the Cardiac Rehab Department at Lewis-Gale Medical Center and made many friends with the staff and fellow cardiac care patients.

He was one of eight children, born in Botetourt County, Va. to deceased parents, Charles Jackson McDaniel and Berta Booth McDaniel Adkins. He is survived by his wife, Athlyn Spraker McDaniel, Salem; his sisters, Margaret Austin of Botetourt County, and Betty Wolf of Bedford County; brother, Joe and wife, Anna of Conway, S.C.; special niece and nephew, Rosie and Kevin Broughman of Roanoke; cousins, Jim (more like a brother) and Elaine McDaniel of Maine; friends, Ben and Pat Zirkle of Salem, George and Glenda Seymour of Roanoke, Ernie Spain of Chesapeake, Va., Millie Proffit and Barbara Wray (egg artist friends) of Salem and Roanoke Co.; and many, many loved nieces, nephews, cousins, church family, and friends. He was predeceased by brothers, Homer, Lynwood, Junior, and Earl.

A special thank you to the doctors and nursing staff in the ICU and Comfort Care Unit of Lewis Gale Hospital. They did their best to make him comfortable and have a peaceful end of life.

In lieu of flowers, donations to Central United Methodist Church, 428 S. College Ave., Salem, VA 24153, or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 will be appreciated.

There will be no visitation. A private service will be held at a later date. Expressions of sympathy may be expressed by visiting www.johnmoakey.com.