Virginia May McDaniel

Virginia McDaniel, age 93, a longtime resident of Grand Junction, was born April 29, 1931, in Denver Colorado to Maebelle and Horace Clarkson. Virginia lived a full, long, and blessed life. She passed away peacefully in her sleep on November 23, 2024.

Virginia was a beloved daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend to many. She had a deep commitment to her family.

After graduating from Denver South High School and attending business school, she had an outstanding career in management and leadership in local credit unions and businesses. When she retired, she turned her hobby into a business, “Miss Murphy’s Miniatures”, in which she able to express her creative nature. She was also able to spend more time in her rose garden, enjoying the outdoors, travelling, and sharing her home with friends and family.

Music was her passion. Her love of music was infectious. She was an incredibly talented organist and pianist. She shared her beautiful talent with many students, her church, and her community. Her family would wake most mornings to piano practice sessions, as she would rehearse “one more time” for an upcoming church service. They remember their home always being filled with the sound of music.

She was a devoted Christian woman, and many would say had a heart of gold. She loved to laugh. She touched so many with her thoughtful, gentle spirit, and the light that would shine through and around her.

Virginia and her late husband of 44 years, Bill McDaniel, created a wonderful life together before his passing in 1995. They often opened their home in hospitality, shared a meal and looked after a friend in need. She is survived by her sister, Jean Olson and proceeded in death by her brother, Raymond Clarkson. She is survived by her four children Scott (Mary Lynnette) McDaniel, Cindy Stranger, Mike (Kay) McDaniel and Mark (Cyndi) McDaniel, her six grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren.

Please join the family at 3:00 PM on March 28, 2025 at Redlands Community Church for a celebration of her life. As she is absent from the body, she is present with the Lord, and she is greatly missed by all. She left a legacy of love.

In lieu of flowers, donations would be appreciated to Redlands Community Church or Hope West Hospice.