Richard Claude Daniels

Retired Reverend Richard C. Daniels, 80, of Piedmont, husband of Sue S. Daniels, joined his Savior on Tuesday, October 19, 2021.

Born in Florida, he was a son of the late Claude & Mattie Daniels. Richard was preceded in death by his son, Ricky, Jr. as well as his one brother, Bill Daniels and his wife, Althea.

In addition to his wife, Sue, he is survived by his children, Robin Daniels Whitehurst, Scott Daniels (Stephanie), Ava Williams (Travis), Allison McMillan (Jeff), and Billy Devine; grandchildren, Staff Sgt. Joshua McMillan (Maddie), Dr. Austin Williams (Emily), and Holly Gadbury (Kyle); and one great-grandson, Jameson McMillan, as well as precious memories of all the dogs and cats he loved.

Richard was raised in Waynesboro, Georgia and graduated high school from Richmond Academy in Augusta, Georgia in 1961.  Richard was a man of many talents and held many interests. Richard loved his community and was awarded Jaycee of the Year for 1963. He was a co-owner of Daniels Lincoln Mercury until 1975.  He worked with the NASCAR Team of Bill Strop in the early 1960’s.  Richard worked in Nashville in the mid 1970’s to promote singer John Bateman.  He attended Lutheran Rice University in 1976 and USC in Columbia. Richard was ordained as a Southern Baptist Preacher and served in many small Baptist churches in Southern Georgia. Richard opened a photograph studio in 1976 in Waynesboro, Georgia. In later years, he worked with Life of Georgia & New York Life Insurance Company. In 1996, he began a journey with an old dog called “Old Fella”.  His love of this dog and all animals led him to establish the first no-kill animal shelter in Burke County, Georgia. He had a great love of RV’ing and met and befriended animal lovers around the world. He was named GoodSam RV’er of the Year in 2009. He has been a member of Reedy Fork Baptist Church since 2011, when he settled in South Carolina. Richard was a loved husband, father and grandfather who will be missed greatly. With his Savior now, he is in perfect peace.

A Funeral Service will be held on Monday, October 25, 2021 at 12:00 pm at Reedy Fork Baptist Church, Greenville, SC with Rev. W. Chris Huff and Dr. Bob Whaley officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends starting at 11:00 am at the church.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to: Old Fella Burke County Animal Rescue, PO Box 437, Waynesboro, GA 30830, or Reedy Fork Baptist Church, 459 Reedy Fork Rd, Greenville, SC 29605.