Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

James “Jim” Allen Daniel received the greatest Christmas gift of all – to be welcomed into his Savior’s arms – on December 25, 2021.  At the time of his passing, he was surrounded by his family at home.

The funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, December 30, 2021, at Morningside Baptist Church with Dr. John Richey and Rev. Jimmy Dean officiating.  Interment will be at Roselawn Memory Gardens with Jim’s grandchildren serving as active pallbearers. Dr. Mallory McRae and the Deacons of Morningside Baptist Church will serve as honorary pallbearers.

The family will receive friends from 6:00 until 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, December 29, 2021, at Bryant Funeral Home Chapel. Online visitors may sign the guest register at www.bryantfuneralga.com. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Pinnacle Retreat Center, C/O Georgia Baptist Mission Board, 6405 Sugarloaf Parkway, Duluth, GA 30097.

Jim was born on May 23, 1942, in Collinsville, Ala.  He was the oldest of three sons, born to James & Marie Daniel. He grew up in Gadsden, Ala., and met the love of his life, Jo Ann Richey, at the age of nine.  They had their first date at a school picnic when they were fourteen.  They were married at the age of eighteen and spent the next 61 years loving each other.  Already a big brother to his two siblings, he also became a big brother to Jo Ann’s eleven brothers and sisters.  He had many adventures with her brothers and teased her sisters as if they were his own siblings.

While living in Gadsden, Jim and Jo Ann were blessed with the birth of their first two sons, Greg and Randy.  After moving to Cleveland, Tennessee, they had their only daughter, Kim, and their youngest son, Michael.  Then in 1974, they moved to Bainbridge, Georgia, after being transferred by his employer.

Jim worked most of his career in vending and food service, working for ARA Services for 38 years. As an ARA employee, he worked in Gadsden, Alabama; Chattanooga, Tennessee; Bainbridge, Georgia; and Macon, Georgia. He also worked in Decatur, Alabama, and Meridian, Mississippi, for a different vending company.  One of his favorite parts of his job, was catering special food service events because he enjoyed meeting and serving people.

After retiring, Jim and Jo Ann began volunteering at Georgia Baptist Association’s Pinnacle Retreat Center.  They were later asked to become permanent staff members so they moved to Clayton, Ga., where they lived for nine years.  During this time, Jim and Jo Ann were beloved members of Clayton Baptist Church where Jim sang in the choir and served on multiple committees.

Then they retired a second time, coming back home to Bainbridge.  All during their time in Bainbridge, Jim was a devoted member of Morningside Baptist Church. He sang in the choir, served on many committees, taught Sunday School, and was a deacon.  In 2021, he was presented Deacon Emeritus.

Anyone who knew Jim, knew of his servant’s heart and how much he loved the Lord.  He also loved helping people, but never sought out recognition for anything that he did.  During the time that his children were in the high school band, you would often find “Mr. Jim” as a chaperone for a football game or a band competition.  He was also a volunteer for the Salvation Army, and Georgia Baptist Disaster Relief.  He traveled to many locations to serve meals after hurricanes and tornadoes.

Jim loved to work on any type of engine or machine.  He could repair car engines, vending machines, appliances – anything that had a motor.  He also loved Alabama Crimson Tide football, and was thrilled to see the Atlanta Braves win the World Series this year.

He was preceded in death by his parents, James & Marie Daniel; his stepmother Mary Ward Daniel; and his stepbrother, Larry Ward.

He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Jo Ann Daniel, and his four children: Greg (Teresa) Daniel of Bainbridge, Randy (Lorrie) Daniel of Bainbridge, Kim (Bob) Dillenschneider of Spanish Fort, Alabama, and Mike (Wendy) Daniel of Albany; nine grandchildren: Brandon Livingston of Bainbridge, Jordon Daniel of Bainbridge, Joshua (Alison) Daniel of Bainbridge, Brittany (John) Piper of Valdosta, Scott Daniel of Bainbridge, Justin (Danielle) Dillenschneider of Daphne, Alabama, Sierra (Matthew) Sewell of Mobile, Alabama, Ashley Smith of Hazlehurst, James Daniel of Albany; six great-grandchildren: Isabella Gilbert, Nevaeh, Terry, & Leland Smith of Hazlehurst, Lorelei & Reid Daniel of Bainbridge; three brothers: David (Lee) Daniels of Riceville, Tennessee, John (Liz) Daniel of Cleveland, Tennessee, Charles (Darlene) Ward of Mountainboro, Ala.; two sisters: Betty Powell of Boaz, Ala., and Janice (Tom) Underwood of Springhill, Tenn.; five brothers-in-law; three sisters-in-law, and many nieces and nephews.

Bryant Funeral Home, located at 105 N. Florida Street, is assisting the family with arrangements. (229-246-3321)