Donald Gladstone Daniell (August 10, 1944 – August 16, 2017)

Donald Gladstone Daniell went home to be with our Lord early Wednesday morning, August 16, 2017. He was preceded in death by his wife of 45 years, Sylvia Jean Daniell, by only four months.

Born in Lyons, Georgia, August 10,1944, to David Gladston and Vivian Haskins Daniell, Mr. Daniell never knew his valiant father who died in World War II, after injuries sustained in the Battle of the Bulge, just months after his son’s birth. Vivian Daniell later married Warren P. Hansen with whom she had three more children. The Hansens reared Mr. Daniell and his siblings at East Beach on St. Simon’s Island. While growing up on St. Simons, Mr. Daniell won a Carnegie Award for Heroism as a teen in recognition for having saved a drowning woman in shark-infested waters. He went on to devote his life to protecting the weak and helping those lost in the dark places of this world.

Mr. Daniell graduated from Glynn Academy and Norman Park Junior College and received his bachelor’s degree in social welfare from Florida State University. He began working for the State of Georgia as a social worker and subsequently served in several roles, including DFCS child protective custody worker and state probation officer; and, after earning his Master’s Degree from Fort Valley State University, finished out his career as a chief mental health counselor in the prison system with the Department of Corrections. After retirement, he ran a short-haul trucking company, delivering Georgia’s best pecans to interested buyers across the Midwest.

Having lived in Byron for over 40 years, Mr. Daniell was an active and devoted member of Byron United Methodist Church where he served on several committees over the years and sang in the choir. He took great pleasure in his work with Operation Christmas Child, in his fellowship with Sunday School classmates and teachers, in visiting with his fellow church members who were in need, and in contributing to the Vinson Valley children’s camp. He and his wife also enjoyed traveling throughout the country in their RV and visiting his siblings, children and grandchildren.

Mr. Daniell is survived by his children, Lisa (Kyle) England of Ringgold and David (Jocelyn) Daniell of Bonaire, and his grandchildren, Jonah England, Grace England, Isabelle England, Vivian Daniell, and Cora Jean Daniell. He is also survived by his brother, Bill (Ronda) Hansen of St. Simons Island, his sister, Nancy String of St. Simons Island, and several nieces and nephews. His younger brother, Peter (Dondra) Hansen preceded him in death. He is also survived by his beloved companion dog, Jenny, who will be well cared for by his grandchildren.

Mr. Daniell loved Georgia, particularly Byron, his nation, his family, and his Lord. All who knew him well and especially those who loved him most dearly are painfully diminished by his leaving.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 19, 2017 at Byron United Methodist Church. Interment will be private for family at Glen Haven Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Friday, August 18, 2017 at Rooks Funeral Home 109 West White Road in Byron. The family suggests friends wishing to do so may make memorial contributions to Byron United Methodist Church.

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