After returning home, McDaniel entered the hospital where she tested positive for coronavirus the Sunday before thanksgiving.
With underlying health conditions like diabetes, heart, and kidney disease, she was immediately transferred to the ICU where she died Wednesday.
McDaniel has four daughters, eight grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren.
With a volunteer spirit, that family became even larger.
McDaniel then earned her GED, became a senior aide, and started to volunteer.
She spent more than a decade as a foster granny at the Chambliss Center for Children where she touched the lives of hundreds.
“Each kid had a certain name and they would greet mom with hugs and kisses every morning,” said Cookie Lendreth, McDaniel’s daughter.
in 2011, McDaniel was the recipient of the National Service Award through the United Way of Greater Chattanooga.
“She said one time the reason that she got up every morning was to see her children and work with them and hopefully teach them good principles of life. To be a good influence on them,” said Phil Acord, the chief executive officer of the Chambliss Center for Children.
McDaniel did not get an opportunity to go back to the Center as they were closed during the pandemic.