Baek Soon McDaniel

She was preceded in death by her husband, of 47 years, Fredrick McDaniel. Baek Soon’s parents died of malaria when she was a baby, she had no memory of them. She had memories of some older ones caring for her for a short while, but she had to take care of herself beginning earlier than her teen years. This was not a subject she discussed but it is indicative of her strength and determination. About 1 week before Baek Soon died, she responsibly ensured her dear Chihuahua dog Penny would be cared for in a new loving home.

Baek Soon was born in Korea on June 21st, 1942. She met and married Fredrick McDaniel, in 1965, while he was stationed in Korea. Eventually they moved to the States and ended up calling Huntsville their home. Baek Soon’s husband began studying the Bible and learning about Jehovah God and His promises about living forever on Earth (Psalm 37:29). She came forward one day and surprised Fred and the Bible study conductor by saying she was ready to get baptized. Keep in mind this was before she had even had a formal Bible study. Secretly, Baek Soon had been listening in. She had heard enough to be convinced that what she heard was the truth. One year after her baptism date of June 20th, 1984, she began pioneering and did so almost continuously up

until her death.

Despite trials, such as Korean being her first language, 7 years of caring for her husband who had become bed ridden, and then getting a stage IV cancer diagnosis in 2017 with 6 years of treatments to follow, she continued serving Jehovah and with tremendous zeal. She was still pioneering, witnessing about Jehovah God and even placed the “Enjoy Life Forever” book just days before she took her last breath.

Everyone who knew her has at least one story to tell of Baek Soon's good-heartedness and how she helped them in one way or another. Being especially hospitable, she hosted the book study at her home, many gatherings for the friends, and would feed the circuit overseer at every opportunity. She was bold, courageous, and very proud of our great God Jehovah, while being lovingly straightforward, generous and empathetic toward everyone she met. She loved Jehovah’s creation, especially Chihuahua dogs, gardening and growing plants, and preparing and sharing her food with all. Her kimchi was world-renowned (at least in AL Circuit #1 and beyond).

Even though she knew no fleshly family, she will be missed by her even larger spiritual family. We hope to all be there to welcome her back when she wakes up in Paradise (John 5:28, 29).

Revelation 21:4 “And he will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away.”