Shirlee Maria McDaniel

Shirlee Maria Miller McDaniel, 80, passed away, after a brief illness, on November 3, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas. Born June 5, 1944, in Altus, Oklahoma, Shirlee was the oldest child of Virginia Miller. She was raised by her mother and grandmother, Ferol McElroy, until Virginia married Claude Miller in 1948. The family grew to include her brother, David Earle.

Shirlee moved a lot as she was growing up from Oklahoma to Florida and then to Iowa due to her father’s newspaper and photography business. Each time Shirlee moved, she would reinvent herself in her new place. She was active in theatre and music at an early age. She enjoyed the spotlight and never shied away from being the center of attention. The family eventually settled in Lubbock, Texas in the late 1950's where Shirlee attended high school. It was here that she met her future husband, Gilmer Dale McDaniel. However, she only enjoyed one “Coca-Cola date” with Gil before she moved again to Dallas, Texas. Shirlee and Gil’s story picks up a few years later.

Shirlee’s adult life began when she was immersed into Dallas high society and learned how to use her incredible beauty and wit to become the “hostess with the mostest!” With a move to Austin, Shirlee continued to hone her skills as a dutiful wife and mother of two. During this time, she made a crucial decision that would alter their life. She chose to reinvent herself again with a move back to Lubbock, Texas as a single mother and worked multiple jobs to make ends meet. It was during one of those many jobs that Shirlee saw Gil again. He immediately recognized her beautiful eyes and quickly fell in love with both her and her children.

In 1967, Shirlee married Gil and relocated once again to Chicago, Illinois. Utilizing her fabulous hosting skills, she became the ultimate corporate wife. She managed countless cocktail and dinner parties, entertaining clients and learning how to golf along the way. Gil’s career set them to relocate again to Salt Lake City, Utah. There the McDaniel family welcomed their newest member. Another move to San Francisco, California; Cincinnati and then Cleveland, Ohio and finally settling in San Antonio, Texas in 1984, Shirlee was an expert in packing a household of children and possessions, relocating, and reinventing. She shined as a mother, wife, make-up artist, actress and hostess. She taught everyone she met how to just keep moving. Her wisdom and incredible sense of style will stay alive in the memories of her children and grandchildren.

Shirlee was predeceased by her mother, Virginia; and brother, David. Then, after 50 years of marriage, Gil passed away in 2017. The remaining members of the Clan McDaniel include children, Stephen McDaniel, Debbie McDaniel Carter (Chris), and Amy McDaniel Dugelby (Jim); and grandchildren: James Dugelby, Nicholas Carter, Jackson Dugelby, Joseph Dugelby, Cora McDaniel Lurati (Rylan), Emma McDaniel, and Cameron Carter.

As per Shirlee’s wishes, there will be no official memorial held. We encourage everyone who knew her to share stories and reach out to the family with tales of “Ma’am.” She would want everyone to know that she loved them with all her heart and that “Y’all really need some more food or drink - here, let me get that for you.”