Norma R. Mcdaniel

Norma R. McDaniel, 97, died on April 18, 2018 of natural causes at NHC Place Farragut. A memorial service is scheduled for 11 AM, Tuesday, May 29th, at Mynatt Funeral Home in Fountain City. Norma was born on July 20, 1920 at her family home in Corryton, Tennessee, the daughter of C. M. and Anna George Rice. She attended Gibbs High School where she played basketball and sang in the choir. She graduated in 1937 and went on to attend Knoxville Business College where she earned a business associate degree. On November 5, 1941 she was united in marriage with Charles Jackson McDaniel, Jr. in Monroe County, Tennessee. They resided in Knoxville following their marriage until he joined the U.S. Army in 1944. Following his enlistment, she began working at F.W. Woolworth on Gay Street until she landed her first and lifelong employment opportunity at O.P. Jenkins Furniture, where she worked for more than 65 years. In May 1945, her husband was killed in the line of duty on Okinawa, Japan. She remained a widow for the remainder of her life. She served thousands of customers over the years selling furniture. Over the years, she made friends of customers and served them not only selling to them, but also serving them in times of need. She had a great sense of humor and was very independent, living alone until she was 96 and buying a new car when she was 90 years old. But, work was always her passion, and she loved her work and her customers. She had two siblings, Orpha Rice Walsh and Paul Rice. Survivors include her son, CJ McDaniel, Fulshear, Texas. She is also survived by two grandchildren, Caitlin Rolens of Fulshear, Texas and Chip McDaniel of Richardson, Texas. She also has six great granddaughters, Cooper, Logan, twins Reece & Ryan Rolens and Charley and Campbell McDaniel. In lieu of flowers, Memorial contributions may be directed to St. Jude Children Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.