Dwight Nelson McDaniel

Dwight Nelson McDaniel, age 83, beloved husband, dad and granddaddy passed away on April 25, 2017, at Hospice of West Alabama. Services will be today, April 28, 2017 at Memory Chapel Funeral Home with visitation at 10:00 a.m., services at 11:00 a.m., and internment to follow at Memory Hill Gardens with Memory Chapel Funeral Home, a Dignity Memorial Provider, directing. Services will be officiated by Reverends James Haskins and Kevin Thomas.He was preceded in death by his parents Myrtle and Vardaman McDaniel and brother, Willard McDaniel of Lauderdale, Miss.He is survived by his wife, best friend and love of his life for 63 years, Frances Danner McDaniel; his daughter, Debbie Davie Cunningham (Eddie); his son, Dwight N. McDaniel, Jr. (Belinda), his grandchildren, Lindsey McDaniel McCall (Taylor), Bethany Davie Highsmith (Lee), Hugh Daniel Davie (Haleigh), Casey McDaniel Rodi (Chase) and Jonathan Graham Nelson Davie (Ashley); and nine great-grandchildren, Jude, Levi, Karis, Ezra McCall, Valeny, Jewel, Ashton Highsmith, Isabella and Parker Davie. All of which knew him simply as Granddaddy. He is also survived by his brother, Ralph McDaniel of Lauderdale, Miss.Nelson was born on July 5, 1933 in Lauderdale, Miss. He graduated from Scooba Junior College. On June 4, 1953 he married his soul mate, Frances. He later served in the United States Army during the Korean War. After returning home he managed many SH Kress stores throughout the South until moving to the Tuscaloosa store in 1968. He settled in Tuscaloosa and worked at BF Goodrich as a foreman for 21 years. Nelson or Granddaddy as known by many, never met a stranger. If you had time, he would tell you about his kids, a few hours or more about his awesome five grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. He loved and devoted his life to his family. He enjoyed spending time at his farm in Lauderdale, Miss. His other passions were Tuscaloosa County High Basketball and his churches Alberta United Methodist and Forest Lake United Methodist. He was blessed with innumerable friends, far too many to name but a special thanks to honorary pallbearers, Linda and Walton Sands from West Point, Ga., Ike and Betty Hopper of Porterville, Miss., Elizabeth Dollar, Blanche and Don Duren, Cathy and Marvin Williams, the Riley Lumpkin Sunday School Class at Forest Lake United Methodist Church, DaVita Dialysis, and all former players and coaching friends.Pallbearers will be Harold Arrowood, Ray Duren, Lee Highsmith, Chase Rodi, Curt Weeks, and Greer Williams.In lieu of flowers, please direct gifts to Hospice of West Alabama or Forest Lake United Methodist Church.