Charles McDaniel

BETHLEHEM – Charles N. McDaniel, 81, died Sunday, July 12, 2009.

Born on May 1, 1928, he was the son of Bridges and Leveda Wall McDaniel. He was preceded in death by brothers, Thomas and Herbert McDaniel.

He was raised in Bethlehem by his grandmother, Jenny Doster McDaniel, following the death of his mother when he was an infant. During the war at age 14 he worked briefly in the shipyards at Brunswick before joining the Merchant Marines at age 15 for one tour of duty. Following that he joined the Coast Guard. During World War II he served on Coast Guard Cutters in the waters off of France and the Northeast Coast of Canada and the US. He owned and operated Holiday6 Grocery in Winder following his retirement.

He was a Mason and Shriner, was a deacon at the First Christian Church in Winder, but in 1980 was ordained as a New Thought Minister at the Center for Spiritual Awareness, and was thus able to work with alcoholics who were incarcerated and “ready” to hear about AA.

Survivors include his wife of 64 years, Hassie Lee Stewart McDaniel; daughters and sons-in-law, Cheryl and Hank Hilderbrand, Jackson, Debbie McDaniel, Bethlehem, and Marsha and David Gooch, Jefferson; grandchildren and spouses, Henry and Cassie Hilderbrand, Johns Creek, Jeremy and Lynne Hilderbrand, Stockbridge, Chuck and Maureen Gooch, Bethlehem, and Kellee Gooch, Nashville, Tenn.; three great-grandchildren; one niece; and numerous cousins.

Smith Funeral Home, Winder, was in charge of arrangements.