Judy McDaniel

She worked 21 years for Metro as a School Crossing Guard. Her gifts of friendliness, kindness, and love for children were seen by all. She didn’t just help them cross the street, Judy hugged and encouraged them as they crossed. She always kept a box in her trunk of emergency supplies a child might need. If you forgot your pencil or were out of paper, she had your back. When little girls were crying because they were having a bad hair day and were embarrassed to walk into school, she had it covered. She would fix a cute pony-tail in a flash! The tears would soon disappear as the child grinned and skipped across the street. She even had tools in case the chain came off your bicycle. She was prepared! She made such an impression on the children’s lives that years later they would bring their new family members to meet her, in fact, she crossed multi-generations of children. Judy had an uncanny talent to never forget a name and a face. Even though it may have been ten years since she had seen the child, Judy would still be able to call them by name as she grinned her beautiful smile. Many parents and former children alike packed her and Mrs. Gammon’s retirement party at the school.

Judy was a member of the Mt. Juliet Church of Christ. She was a kind and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend. Our Lord and her family meant everything to her.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Andrew Trueman Martin and Evelyn (Robbins) Martin.

Judy is survived by her devoted husband of 56 years, William A. McDaniel, III. Judy was very sick for many years. There isn’t another husband that has done more for his wife than he did. His example raised the bar for everyone as they witnessed his kindness and devotion to her 24 hours a day. He surely demonstrated the love a Biblical husband should bestow on his wife.

She is survived by her children, Lisa (Richard) Roy and Mickey (Amie) McDaniel. She has been a cherished and loving “Biyah/Baba” to her grandchildren, Tristan Earhart, Wyatt McDaniel, Elijah McDaniel, Joshua (Hannah) Roy, Aaron (Rachel) Roy, and Sarah (Josh) Ruibal. She is also survived by her brother Dean (Barbara) Martin along with a niece, nephews, cousins, and friends. She will be missed every day until we see her again.

The family expresses heart-felt gratitude to the employees of Home Instead and the Life Care Center of Old Hickory for their exemplary care and we will always be grateful. We would like to extend a special thank you to Gail, Maggie, and Lora. They faithfully loved and cared for her for several years. She loved you dearly. You will always be part of our family.

At her request in lieu of flowers, please make a donation in her memory to either Monroe Carell, Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt-Pediatric Neurology Department, VUMC Gift and Donor Services, 3322 West End Avenue Suite 900, Nashville, TN 37203 or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

Pallbearers will include Mickey McDaniel, Wyatt McDaniel, Elijah McDaniel, Tristan Earhart, and Richard Roy.

Due to Covid, a private service was held with just the immediate family.