Patricia Davis McDaniel

Patti Sue Davis McDaniel “Pat”, age 82, died on November 3, 2017 in Tampa, Florida. Pat was born in Memphis, Tennessee to Charles Albert and Margaret Opal Davis on September 16, 1935. She was the youngest of three daughters and was preceded in death by both of her older sisters, Margaret Davis Duffy and Marilyn Davis Emery, as well as her parents. Pat grew up in Memphis, where she attended Messick High School and Memphis State University (now The University of Memphis). At Messick, Pat developed an enduring love of theatre and dance. She remained close to many of her Messick classmates all of her life. At Memphis State University, Pat was a member of Alpha Gamma Delta and a Sweetheart of Lambda Chi Alpha where she met her future husband, James Nelson “Jim” McDaniel, President of that social fraternity at the time. Jim and Pat wed in 1955 and were married for more than 50 years. They lived in Tennessee, Mississippi, Texas, and Florida before spending the last 40 years of their married life in Birmingham, Alabama. After Jim’s death in 2006, Pat moved to Tampa, Florida. As with her high school and college pals, Pat cherished the lifelong bonds she developed with her Birmingham and Homewood friends. Pat was a voracious reader and enjoyed a variety of interests, including writing, movies, musical theatre, ballet, ice-skating, and Bible studies. She had a deep faith and believed she would see her loved ones again in Heaven. Pat and Jim had five children together to honor their memory; Melinda McDaniel Leavelle (Norris), Timothy Nelson McDaniel (Carmen), Terrance Patrick McDaniel (Marika), Susan McDaniel Cerreta (Tony), and Jamie McDaniel Clemons (Brent). Pat was delighted to be the grandmother of Davis Leavelle, Madison Leavelle, Katelyn McDaniel, Gillian McDaniel, Nina McDaniel, and Jessica Cerreta. She was so proud of their accomplishments and boasted of them to anyone who would listen. Additionally, Pat was an aunt to many nieces and nephews from the combined Emery, Duffy, and McDaniel families. Pat loved to read the Bible and committed countless verses to memory. She had favorites that she often quoted, however she appreciated written blessings as well. One such blessing, beloved by Pat, Jim, and Children, ends with the fitting quote, “And until we meet again, May God hold you in the palm of His hand.” Pat wanted no formal ceremony held nor flowers sent at the end of her life. She believed in random acts of kindness and hoped that her friends and family would follow their hearts to perform such actions as a tribute to her memory. Pat and Jim will be interred together at Florida National Cemetery.