Julia Bryan Jones Daniels

Julia, or JuJu as the grandchildren and great-grandchildren called her, passed away just short of the fourth anniversary of the death of her husband of 68 years, Frank Arthur Daniels Jr., who died June 30, 2022.

She was noted as a quintessential hostess with her dinner parties and receptions in support of the organizations and causes she embraced, and was the embodiment of style and grace, always well dressed, ever poised and laser focused on the details that mattered. She also had a wicked, and surprisingly naughty, sense of humor that erupted when least expected.

Julia was born on October 14, 1931, in New Bern to Julia Pugh Jones and Malcolm Whitmel Jones. The family, including her younger sister, Dorothy (Dot), and little brother, Malcolm (Mac), moved to Raleigh’s Fairview Road in 1945. In that neighborhood, and at Needham B. Broughton High School where she first met her future husband, Julia established roots and built friendships that grew deeper and stronger through the years. Nancy Bobbitt Thompson, one of the gang of beautiful friends that stayed close through seven-plus decades, still visited her each week.

“I’m the last leaf on the tree,” Nancy lamented to Julia’s daughter Sunday. Perhaps so, but what a vibrant and beautiful tree.

After high school, Julia attended Converse College (now university) in Spartanburg, SC, where she became student body vice president (one of the only times she stopped short of being the “boss”) before graduating with her degree in English and Elementary Education. She received the Mary Mildred Sullivan Award for exemplary citizenship through positive influence. She became the first alumna to chair the school’s board of trustees in 1999.

In a press release from the university, former Converse president Betsy Fleming said, “Julia Daniels had an infectious love for Converse. An incredible leader and storyteller, she gave so much of her time, talent and treasure to strengthening the institution and opening up new opportunities for its students.”

Julia was slight of stature yet cast a huge shadow. On her own and as half of one of North Carolina’s “power couples,” she touched many lives as well as many educational and cultural institutions. She leaves a legacy of leadership and engagement that is inspiring to her family and an example for us to follow.

She was also one of the most fun-loving people any of us will ever know. She was fond of masks, silly toys, elaborate table settings with humorous touches, and telling jokes and stories that required physical activity, especially with her great friend Jeanne Burrows!

An oft told story, most often related to the family when questions and comments about dating come up, is that of the evening Frank Jr. called upon her father, Whit, to seek permission for his daughter’s hand. Frank knew he would have Whit’s attention because Julia, never the wall flower, was out on a date. They were married in June 1954. Julia gave up her job as a teacher at Frances Lacy Elementary School and moved to Japan where Frank was based as a US Air Force lieutenant. They returned in 1956 and settled back in Raleigh, where Frank Jr. joined the family business and Julia reared her two children and embarked on a career as a “professional volunteer,” as her husband characterized her. Calling her a professional volunteer understates the breadth and depth of her impact and commitment to the communities and institutions she served.

The Junior League of Raleigh, which she joined in 1957, was the original beneficiary of her energy and drive, and she credited the organization with giving her the tools and skills that she used for the rest of her life. She served as president of the League in 1969-70 and later served as president or chairman of many local, state, and national boards and institutions. In 2008, the Junior League established the Julia Jones Daniels Center for Community Leadership on Hillsborough Street.

“Her impact extends far beyond the programs she helped create or the leadership roles she held,” said Bernadette Silvers, president of the Junior League in a press release. “Julia inspired generations of women to lead with courage, humility, compassion and purpose.”

“Julia showed us that true leadership was when everyone had a seat at the table,” said Jennie Hayman, past president of the Junior League of Raleigh. “The depth and breadth of her community service will never be matched, but I know that because of her example, many of us will do our very best to continue to serve the organizations and the State that she supported and loved so well.”

In a rough chronological order, here are a few of the leadership positions she held: Nominating Chairman, Association of Junior Leagues of America; President, NC Museum of History Associates (which she helped found); President, Mordecai Square Historical Society; Trustee, Historic Preservation Foundation of NC; Chairman, North Carolina Historical Commission; President, NC Art Society; Co-chair, North Carolina Hot Air Balloon Committee; Trustee and Chairman, NC Museum of Art; Chairman, Converse University Board of Trustees; Trustee and Chairman, NC School of the Arts; Board member, National Trust for Historic Preservation; and Chairman, National Trust for Historic Preservation.

When Julia Jones Daniels committed to work with an organization, she gave it total effort and did it with a unique touch.

Susan Phifer Johnson, who served with Julia on the Converse board, said, she was a people person who would leave a Hershey’s chocolate kiss at each Trustee’s place before the meetings she chaired. “Julia was as smart as she was elegant, always graceful and always getting things done.”

And she was very fond of chocolate.

The family will hold a celebration of life for Julia at the NC Museum of Art at 4 p.m. on July 14. Weather permitting, the service will be held around Askew, the Roxy Paine sculpture dedicated to her in 2009, with a reception to follow inside.

The family is extremely grateful to Julie Wood, who has worked with Julia and Frank for 32 years and continues to work with Julie and Frank III. And we are also indebted to Mom’s dedicated caregivers who have been her constant companions and friends for the past four years, thank you Jane Gichubi, Amina Leta and Anita Leta Fox! You are each and all a blessing!

Surviving Julia are her daughter, Julie Daniels and her husband, Tom West, of Sun Valley, Idaho, and Raleigh; son, Frank Daniels III and his wife, Kelly, of Middletown, Rhode Island, and Clarksville, Tennessee. Grandchildren include Kimberly Daniels Taws and her husband, John, of Pinehurst; Frank Daniels IV of Southern Pines; Joseph Daniels of Nashville, Tenn. Step-grandchildren Megan Koontz and her husband, Tyler, of Knoxville, Tenn.; Samantha Miravalle and her husband, Nicholas, of Augusta, Ga; Karen Nowell of Raleigh; Gwynn Nowell and his wife, Bee, of Raleigh; and Lauren Nowell of Raleigh. Great-grandchildren include Reed and Whit Taws, Wade and Frank Daniels V; and step-great-grandchildren Finnegan and Emme Miravalle, and Aiden, James and Alexandra Koontz.

She is also survived by her brother Malcolm Jones and his wife Dawn, of West Melbourne, FL and their son Dan Jones and his wife Thrisha of Woodstock, GA. Her sister, Dorothy Powell, passed away in 1982. Nephews include Doug Powell, Jr. and his wife, Nan, of Wilmington; Sterling Powell and his wife, Janine, of Wrightsville Beach, and niece Miki Powell Davis and her husband, Glen, of Raleigh.

Great nieces and nephews: Blair Powell Love, husband Erskine and their children Palmour, Julia, Sterling and James Erskine V of Rye, NY; Bess Powell Schrader, husband Tom and son Teddy of Wilmington; Doug Powell III of Wilmington; Tomie Bryan of Minnesota; Dottie Bryan of Searsport, ME and children Patrick, Ellie, Jackson and Lily Cole.

Also she is survived by her sister-in-law Patricia Bagley Daniels of Raleigh; and nieces and nephews Ruth Daniels Woronoff Pellisero; Robert Murray Woronoff Jr.; Patricia Daniels Woronoff Padden; David Bagley Woronoff; and Frank Daniels Woronoff.

In lieu of flowers please support the North Carolina Museum of Art, the NC Museum of History, the Junior League of Raleigh or a charity of your choice, Julia would appreciate your commitment.

Brown-Wynne, 300 Saint Mary's St. Raleigh, is serving the Daniels family.