LILLIAN LANELL MCDANIEL
Lillian LaNell McDaniel, affectionately known as “Nell,” went to be with the Lord on Saturday, June 19, 2021, in Waco, surrounded by her children.
A private family cremation service will be held, 9:30 a.m., Wednesday, June 23, at Lake Shore Funeral Home. A celebration of life will be held 11 a.m., Saturday, July 10, at True Vine Worship Center, 2400 Colonial Ave. in Waco.
Nell was born on Jan. 27, 1944, in Madisonville, to the parentage of Lamar Jefferson and Ella Lee Josey. She accepted Christ as her Lord and savior at an early age.
Nell was a faithful member of St. John A.M.E. Church in Mexia until her health failed. She sang in the choir, was active in the Women’s Ministry, and served as Church Secretary.
On Feb. 10, 1978, Nell married Lloyd L. McDaniel in Falls County. They were blessed to be married for 39 years until his passing in 2017. Their beloved union was filled with many memories. They were quite the team and devoted to each other.
In her early years, Nell attended Madisonville Public Schools, then went on receive her Cosmetology License in 1979 from Truman’s Beauty College in Waco. After that, she opened up her very own salon “Nell’s Beauty Salon” in Mexia. For the next 31 years, Nell was able to fulfill her true passion, making others look beautiful. She made sure that everyone who left her salon felt beautiful and confident.
In her spare time, Nell loved gardening. She had great pleasure in taking care of her plants and flowers, especially her rose bushes. Nell was a classy lady and full of life. She took pride in her ap pearance and made sure that everywhere she went, she looked her very best from head to toe. You could find her on any given Sunday at church wearing her Sunday best. Her family meant the world to her. She absolutely adored her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. They will tell you that although she was a fighter and a very direct person, she loved them dearly and will be tremendously missed.
Nell was preceded in death by her parents, Lamar Jefferson and Ella Lee Josey, niece Bridgette Jefferson, and nephew Cedrick Jefferson.
She leaves to cherish her precious memories her loving children, Thomas McDaniel (Voncille) of San Bernardino, Calif., Shirron Givens-Cotton of Lewisville, Diedra Harris of Waco, and Derrick McDaniel (Tonya Jones) of Waco; stepmother Cleo Jefferson of Madisonville; sisters JoAnn McCoy of Bryan, Elouise Jefferson of Waco, Lisa Jefferson-Hall (Craig) of Madisonville; brothers James Lee Jefferson (Mamie) of Baton Rouge, La., LaDon Jefferson (Ruby) of Houston; grandchildren Reginald Gaines, Tjioyan Johnson, Thomas McDaniel III, Jamar McDaniel, Tasia McDaniel Johnson of San Bernardino, Calif.; Brittany Givens and Destini Cotton of Lewisville; Kenya Amos, Kevin Pate and Jarvis Mc-Daniel of Waco; special nieces and nephews Edward Jefferson, Linda Jefferson-Brown, LaShunda Birks and Roderick Birks; devoted cousin Linda Holder; 23 great-grandchildren; and a host of family and friends who loved her dearly.
