Mary Helen Daniel Schwartz

Mary Helen Schwartz, 98, of Macon, GA, gained her heavenly reward on March 31, 2021 at Azalealand Nursing Home in Savannah, GA, where she is reunited with countless loved ones who have passed before her.

Mary Helen was born in Laurens County, Georgia on July 3, 1922 to Howard Franklin Edwards and Mary Effie Smith Edwards. She grew up as a part of their truck farming family, where her deep love of nature’s beauty and bounty was fostered. This love would be a dominant force throughout her life. Educated in Dublin in her early years, Mary Helen became a resident of Macon when she went to reside with her Aunt Sissy and Uncle Bennett Edwards while she attended Alabama Business College of Macon on scholarship. She met and married Joseph Wesley Daniel while there. She supported his efforts to become a doctor and his service to his country in World War II. With the war behind them, Mary Helen settled in fervently and capably as a mother to five children, a charter member of Riverside United Methodist Church, a florist, an artist, a poet, a chairman of various committees, and a valiant steward of her Christian faith.

Mary Helen’s love of nature and the life with which God had blessed her resulted in many hobbies and ways to give back. Her love of flowers led to her service as chairman of the altar guild at Riverside UMC. Her love of nature led her to use found objects, such as shells and driftwood, as tools for her artistry in creating pictures, many of which depicted Christian scenes. Her love of the human experience and the rhythms of prose led her to create a book of poetry, titled My Gift, whose proceeds were then donated back to her church. Her love of life led to her fight and, with the skills of her doctors, eventually conquer cancer, so that she could then aid and counsel other cancer patients throughout their ordeals. Her love of God’s earth led her to travel and revel in the many splendors of his creation, which she documented by creating and sharing scrapbooks and stories. Her love of God’s bounties led her to become an avid cook which she gave back by feeding many hungry souls bountiful food and conversation. Her love of family and friends led her to utter her last words to everyone who visited her in her final hours - “I love you.” This was what she did best.

Survivors include her children, Debby Schwartz (Don), Bennett Daniel (Cathy), Fred Daniel (Karen), Bonnylin Covey (Mike) and her daughter in law Lynne Daniel. She is also survived by her beloved grandchildren, Wes Jones-Wright (Meron), Erin Daniel (Mischo), Mary Catherine Jernigan (Stuart), Gena Baudat (Vince), Peter Daniel (Catherine), Kerilyn Schewel (Ben), Nathan Daniel (Alyssa), Daniel Covey, Bonnylin Dare Van Winkle (Matt), Alex Covey; and by her step-grandchildren, Steve Schwartz (Andrea) and Julie Schwartz. She is also survived by many great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and dear friends.

Mary Helen is predeceased by her husbands, Joseph W. Daniel and Donald Schwartz and by her son, Joe Daniel.

Graveside services will be held at Riverside Cemetery on Friday, April 9, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. with the Rev. Antonie Walker and the Rev. John Irwin officiating.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to: American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 22478, Oklahoma City, OK 73123 or Riverside United Methodist Church, 735 Pierce Ave. Macon, GA 31204.

Visit www.snowsmacon.com to express condolences.

Snow’s Memorial Chapel, Cherry St. has charge of the arrangements.