Franklin Daniels

Franklin Delano Daniels, 80, of Matheny, passed away Wednesday, November 12, 2014. He was born at home on April 5, 1934 and was a lifelong resident of Matheny. Franklin was a member of Faith Baptist Church in Matheny and loved attending services with his church family. He attended Oceana High School where he played football and basketball. He worked for the Wyoming County Board of Education for thirteen years and was a retired coal miner of thirty plus years. He coached Little League Baseball in Matheny for twenty seven years. Along with many winning seasons, the Matheny Little League Field was renamed Frank Daniels Little League Field, in his honor. He was an Assistant Coach for girls’ softball and basketball at Oceana High School for three years. He loved spending vacation time with his wife at Smith Mountain Lake, where they both enjoyed fishing and relaxing. His favorite time of year was the holidays in which he would have all of his family with him. Over the years he enjoyed playing men’s softball and basketball, hunting, fishing and spending time with his family. He was a kind hearted and humble man loved by so many and will be missed by all. He was preceded in death by his parents, Bud and Bessie Daniels; a brother, William Bud Daniels; five sisters: Oma Cassell, Fannie Pizzino, Macie Pizzino, Dimple Epling and Oca Oval Daniels; a son, Freddy Franklin Daniels; a daughter, Lois Ann Daniels; two daughters in law, Elizabeth “Mousie” Daniels and Peggy Sue Daniels; and two grandsons, Christopher M. Hatfield and Terry Wayne Daniels. He is survived by his high school sweetheart and loving wife of sixty two years, Janice Daniels; a brother, Orville Daniels and wife Shirley of Matheny; a sister, Pat Dixon and husband Dudney of Sabine; two sons, Terry Daniels and wife Lynn and Kevin Daniels and wife Angie, all of Matheny; three daughters, Karen Goodwin and husband Claude of Matheny, Rhonda Hatfield and husband Mike of Turkey Creek and Trina Daniels and wife Betty of Bluefield; sixteen grandchildren, twelve great grandchildren and a host of family and friends. Funeral services will be 2 pm, Sunday, November 16 at Evans Funeral Home in Oceana with the Rev. Johnny Toler officiating. Interment will follow at Palm Memorial Gardens, Matheny. Friends may call 6 – 8 pm, Saturday, November 15 at the funeral home. Pallbearers will be grandsons: Jeremy Daniels, Kevin Ryan Daniels, Torrey Daniels, Kaleb Daniels, Kolin Daniels, Chuck Akers and Christopher Bledsoe and great grandson Trae Johnson. The family would like to thank everyone for all of the love and support during this difficult time.