Mr. James Eugene “Gene” Daniell, age 79, of the Fairplay Community, passed away on Saturday, February 26, 2011.  He was born on August 18, 1931 in Douglas County, the son of the late Ira Oliver Daniell and the late Irene Stitcher Daniell.  Mr. Daniell served in the National Guard in Douglasville for 18 years having reached the rank of Captain.  On July 4, 1953, he married the love of his life, Ramona Benton Daniell. Mr. Daniell opened Daniell & Sons Nursery in 1970 and operated the business alongside his youngest son, Tim, until Tim’s passing in October, 2008.  The nursery is very active and remains in the Daniell family. Mr. Daniell is the present owner of the Shannon Valley Ranch established in 1985 in the Fairplay Community.  He was a Deacon at Friendship Baptist Church in Winston for over 30 years. He was a member of the Flint Hill Lodge #371 F. & A. M. having recently received his 50-year apron.  In the early 1960s, Mr. Daniell ran a successful campaign and was elected to the Douglas County School Board serving the Fairplay and Bill Arp communities.  He was a licensed electrician and a member in good standing with the I.B.E.W. Local Union #613, Atlanta, Georgia.  For a few years, Mr. Daniell was also a licensed Realtor having worked with Norton Realty.  Notably, he served as a founding Director for the Citizens and Merchants State Bank in Douglas County and was also a former Chairman of the Board of Directors for First Commerce Community Bank.  He also served as a member of the Board of Directors for the Douglas County Republican Party.  Mr. Daniell was a very active and mostly silent benefactor and philanthropist for the Douglas County community.  He was known for many anonymous acts of kindness and charity he bestowed on the citizens of Douglas County.  Mr. Daniell loved to travel and has visited Colorado and the Western United States every year since the 1980s.  He was an avid John Wayne fan and a self-proclaimed “Cowboy”.  He will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved him.

In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by his son, Tim Daniell in October, 2008 and by his grandson, Brian Daniell in 1997.

Survivors include his wife of 57 years, Ramona Benton Daniell of Winston; son and daughter-in-law, Scott and Emilia Daniell of Douglasville; daughter, Sherry Daniell McKinley of Winston; step-mother, Mary C. “Betty” Daniell of Lawrenceville; daughter-in-law, Windy Daniell of Douglasville; grandson, Jim Palmer and his wife, Heather; granddaughter, Lisa Reaves and her husband, Matt; great grandsons, Nathan Reaves and Kody Palmer; step-granddaughter, Megan Gaston and her husband, Andrew; step-great granddaughter, Briley Gaston; several nieces and nephews.

Funeral Services will be conducted on Wednesday, March 2, 2011 at 2:00 pm from Hightower’s Memorial Chapel in Douglasville with Reverend Johnny White officiating.  Interment will follow in the Friendship Baptist Church Cemetery, Highway 166, Winston, with the Flint Hill Lodge #371 F. & A. M. providing Masonic Rites.  Jim Palmer, Matt Reaves, Donald Strickland, Tim Evans, Andrew Gaston and Don Carter will serve as Pallbearers.  The Masonic Lodge and Mike Carter and Phil Carter will serve as Honorary Pallbearers.

The family will receive friends on Monday, February 28, 2011 from 4 pm until 8 pm and on Tuesday, March 1, 2011 from 4 pm until 8 pm at the funeral home.

Those desiring to do so may make contributions to Friendship Baptist Church, 9400 Highway 166, Winston, Georgia 30187. 

Arrangements entrusted to Hightower’s Memorial Chapel and Cremation Service of Douglasville.  770-489-2818