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Judith "Judi" Daniels, 77, passed away on June 28, 2020, with her family by her side. Born in El Paso, Texas, to Marshall and Marie Hail, she graduated cum laude from Texas Western College in El Paso (now known as The University of Texas).  She was a member of the Zeta Tau Alpha Sorority, attaining the highest grade average in her pledge class.

Judi married the love of her life, Raymond Edward "Eddie" Daniels, Jr., in 1986.  Combining her two children with his four, she made sure none of them ever felt like "steps".  In her eyes, all six were her children.   She helped create one great big, happy family in a home packed to the rafters with love.  When coming together for special occasions, there was a wonderful kind of loud in our house; people laughing, children and later grandchildren running and chasing each other, someone playing the piano, others outside splashing in the pool, someone singing and someone telling a funny story about the last time we gathered together.

After Judi's marriage to Eddie, she returned to school at the University of Alabama, earning her Master's Degree in 1991, while working full time as a social worker and caring for six people at home. She became a social worker for DHR in 1980, working tirelessly for over 25 years caring for and rescuing children, doing what she could to improve their family situations, finally retiring in 2005.   She made lifelong friends with almost everyone with whom she worked.  At her retirement party, she changed the words to "I Will Survive" to reflect the challenges and experiences as a social worker, giving her colleagues a portion of the song so they could sing it to the crowd.  Everyone sang, laughed, and ate chocolate.

Judi was blessed with an abundance of talent and creativity. She was a gifted pianist, an artist and a doll collector.  Her family scrapbooks are treasured heirlooms of unsurpassed beauty.  She had a gift for writing funny poems for each family member on his/her birthday.  With a flair for decorating, she was an exceptional hostess, creating beauty in her home at every occasion.

Judi loved to line dance and spend time with her line dance team.  After the Parkinson's took hold of her, she fought back by taking up boxing. She loved music, Elvis, and chocolate.

We would like to thank the "angels" at Firstlight Home Care who allowed her to stay comfortably in her own home the past few years.  A special thank you to Katie.  Judi always loved spending time with you and hearing all about your children.  Bonnie, I don't think that we can ever thank you enough for all the things you did and said to encourage and comfort Judi over the years.  You had just enough toughness, compassion, and most importantly, love to get her through the physical therapy, speech therapy, medical appointments and everything else that Parkinson's caused her to endure.  You were there right up to the end and have earned a permanent place in our family.

She is survived by her loving husband and best friend of 34 years, Eddie Daniels, along with her daughter Laurie Yarbrough, her husband Jacob, and their children, Caleb, Katie, and Benny; her son William "Billy" Park, his wife Katie, and their children Tyler, Sofia and Addie.  In addition, she leaves behind her "bonus" children Suzette Daniels, Kim Daniels Rapp, Dan Daniels, his wife Angela; and Bill Daniels, his wife Honorine, and their children Johnny and Michael. She also leaves behind her sister and brother in law, Marsha and Paul McLeod; and her sisters in law Bessie Rowe and Emily Butler; and lastly her precious dog Ginger.  Judi was preceded in death by her parents, Marshall and Marie Hail.

Visitation will be from 1:00 p.m. until 2:00 p.m. at Berryhill Funeral Home on July 7, 2020.  A chapel funeral service will follow directly afterward at 2:00 p.m. with Dr. Michael Oliver officiating.   Afterward, there will be a private graveside service for the family at Maple Hill Cemetery.