Sandra McDaniel

Sandra Bethra (Richards) McDaniel, age 82, of Vance, Alabama, passed away on October 18, 2025. She was born on February 26, 1943, at her grandmother’s home in Buhl, Alabama, and grew up in Tuscaloosa. Sandra attended University Place Elementary School and graduated from Tuscaloosa High School in 1961. It was during her time at Tuscaloosa High School that she met and dated Hugh Don "Buddy" McDaniel. In August 1962, she married Buddy at Alberta Methodist Church. True to her spirited nature, Sandra arrived late to her own wedding when her Austin Healey Sprite got a flat tire on the way to the church that evening.

Sandra began her career with what is now the Alabama Department of Transportation in Tuscaloosa, serving as a stenographer and supporting several department leaders throughout her tenure. A proud member of the Alabama State Employees Association, she held multiple leadership roles and helped advocate for key policy changes that became state law. She retired in the early 1990s after 25 years of dedicated service.

Following retirement, Sandra embraced her love of travel. She and Buddy renewed their wedding vows in Scotland and also explored Hawaii, Mexico, Italy, and many islands across the Caribbean. While living in Vance, Sandra remained active in civic life. She was a member of the Red Hat Ladies and served for many years as an Election Judge in both Vance and Tuscaloosa. Above all, Sandra was a loving wife, mother, and a devoted, doting grandmother who brought warmth and laughter to everyone around her.

Sandra was preceded in death by her husband, Hugh Don McDaniel; her brother, Donald Reed Quarles; her father, Alan Lorain Richards; and her mother, Edsel Boothe Quarles; her brother-in-law, Herbert "Herky" West McDaniel.

She is survived by her sister-in-law, Nancy Angelic (George) McDaniel of Tuscaloosa, Alabama; her sons, Brian Scott McDaniel and his wife Ann Elaine (Zamboni) McDaniel of Crest Hill, Illinois, and Steven Lee McDaniel of Vance, Alabama; her grandchildren, Charles Graeme McDaniel of Flint, Michigan, Lauren Grace McDaniel and Emily Faith McDaniel of West Jefferson, Alabama; her nieces, Michelle (Quarles) Curl of Pekin, Illinois, and Heather Marie (Quarles) Lara of Charlotte, North Carolina; and her nephew, Jeremy Todd Quarles of Madison, Mississippi.

Visitation will be held at Holy Spirit Catholic Church, located at 733 James I Harrison Jr Pkwy, Tuscaloosa, AL 35405, on October 24, 2025, from 10:00 am to 11:00 am. The funeral service will follow at the same location from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm. Committal service will take place at Memory Hill Gardens, 2200 Skyland Blvd East, Tuscaloosa, AL 35405, from 12:30 pm to 1:00 pm.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks you to consider a donation to Hospice of West Alabama in her memory. The services will be officiated by Monsignor Michael Deering.