Donald Joe Daniels, Jr., 67, peacefully answered the call of our Heavenly Father on Sunday, July 19, 2026. Surrounded by the love of his family, he transitioned from their embrace into his eternal home in the presence of the Lord.

Born on February 26, 1959, in Anniston, Al., he was the first-born son of Mrs. Madelyn Foster Daniels and the late Reverend Donald Joe Daniels, Sr.

He attended primary school at St. Francis Catholic School. As a trailblazer from a young age, Donald became the first African American to integrate McCallie School in 1971. He enrolled at McCallie from his seventh through 11th-grade years, where he played football, basketball, ran track, and wrestled. After his junior year of high school, Donald relocated to Atlanta. He graduated from Booker T. Washington High School in 1977 and later attended Morehouse College.

Rooted in faith, Donald Joe lived out the command to love God with all his heart, soul, and mind, and to love his neighbor as himself. Psalm 23 was one of his favorite passages, and he was a member of Bethlehem-Wiley United Methodist Church. Though born in the U.S. Army Hospital at Fort McClellan, he served instead as a soldier in the “Army of the Lord,” embodying Christ-like love, strength, and compassion throughout his life. He truly enjoyed music, especially Luther Vandross and Bob Marley’s live rendition of “War,” believing in the triumph of good over evil.

Donald Joe was preceded in death by his father, Reverend Donald Joe Daniels, Sr.; his grandparents, Mr. Otto Griffin Daniels and Mrs. Vernal Jo Daniels, Mr. Rufus Herbert Foster, Sr. and Mrs. Henrietta Crystal Littlejohn Foster; his uncles, Mr. Shelly Daniels, Dr. Rufus H. Foster, Jr., Mr. Ellington L. Foster, Mr. James Davis, Jr., Mr. Elijah Inabinette Jr.; his aunts, Mrs. Felicia F. Davis, Mrs. Gloria E. Foster Inabinette, Ms. Rosmaree P. Foster, and Mrs. Mildred T. Foster; cousins, Vincent Foster, and James Foster Davis I.

Left to cherish many loving and fond memories is his family: his mother, Madelyn F. Daniels; his two brothers, Sean Daniels and John (Nicole) Daniels; uncle, Dr. Telezee Littlejohn Foster (Sandy) of Charlotte, North Carolina; aunts, Thelma Foster (the late Ellington) of Gaffney, South Carolina; Ernestine Daniels (the late Shelly) of Atlanta, GA; nieces, Aubrey, Sydney, and Jordyn Daniels; nephew, Chase Daniels; godsons, Joey Pursley and Gary Wilcox; godbrothers, C.J. Hampton and Carles Bell, godsister, Angela Burris; god nephew, Angelo Burris; a host of cousins, other dear relatives, special friends, and his beloved cats, Tiger and Oreo.

A Funeral Service will be held Saturday, August 8th, 12:00 noon, in The Gilmore Mortuary Chapel with The Rev. Dr. Timothy L. Hunter, officiating. Interment will be in Oakland Cemetery

The family will receive friends on Friday, August 7th, during the hours of 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., at the home of Thelma Foster, 1036 N. Logan Street, Gaffney.