Maurine Gladys Daniels' Obituary
Maurine Gladys Williams was born on May 1, 1922 in McKinney, Texas, the second of three daughters born to Van and Theora Swanson Williams. Both parents and both sisters, Florence Andrews and Betty Graham preceded her in death. Upon completion of her public school education in Ardmore, Oklahoma she relocated to Dallas, Texas to live with her sister Florence. After moving to Dallas, she became an active member of Greater Mt. Zion Baptist Church. After a whirlwind of a courtship, she married the love of her life, William Alvin Daniels, Sr., on December 12, 1942. To this union six children were born: Brenda, Lois, Wilma, William “Bill” Jr., David, and Grace. As a young wife and mother, she loved and flourished in her role as a housewife since being home with the kids was a priority. Supporting her husband’s vision of a safe and secure home and community for his family, together they worked tirelessly until they gained finances and lending approval to move into their first home. She managed to augment the family’s income by working as domestic home worker. Their first home was a brand new home in the Hamilton Park Community, a newly developed community bursting at the seams with young Black families whose lives coalesced around family, church, school, community and civic activities. During this time, the family united with Hamilton Park Methodist Church. Maurine’s quiet strength and “W.A’s” fierce determination saw to it that each of their six children would attend college. Among Maurine’s greatest accomplishments was her incredible strength in protecting and holding her family together following her husband’s untimely death after only 22 years of marriage. She was a “single, head of household” very early on. As the children grew up and became more independent, she began a successful career as an employee of Dallas Independent School District. As a cafeteria worker with the district, she rose from a general pastry cook to become manager of the cafeteria. Remarkably, she worked full time during the day while maintaining her late husband’s janitorial service late into the evenings. She retired from Dallas ISD after 25 years of service. Her passion for life was her family. However, she loved working with the countless civic activities whose origin began with Hamilton Park’s Civic League. Few activities brought her more joy than Hamilton Park’s football games and her husband’s signature yell(s) which usually brought the house down. Special community programs sponsored by Daughters of the Trinity Elks Lodge were hugely important civic activities she thoroughly enjoyed. Maurine was preceded in death by her husband of 22 years, William A Daniels, Sr., son-William Alvin “Bill” Daniels, Jr., sisters, Florence Andrews and Betty Graham and great granddaughter, Randalnia Brenda Land. She is survived by her children, Brenda Land (Walter), Lois Hunt, Wilma Fowlks (Willie), David Daniels (Helen) and Grace Lloyd (Terry), her grandchildren, Walter Land Jr., Terry Land, Aaron Land, Randal Land (Shawanda), Jermaine Hunt, Sheridan Braggs, Allyson Fowlks Aikman, William Alvin Daniels III, Stephanie Daniels, Brandon Daniels, T.J. Lloyd, Haley Spencer (Josh) and Kelsey Lloyd, 13 great-grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews and friends. The visitation for Maurine Daniels will be from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM Thursday, January 22, 2015 at Restland Funeral Home. The service for Maurine will be held on Friday, January 23, 2015 at 11:00 AM in The Memorial Chapel at Restland Funeral Home. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Restland Funeral Home and Memorial Park, 13005 Greenville Avenue, at Restland Road, Dallas, TX 75243.
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