Shirley Elaine Daniels

Elaine Daniels, age 74, passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by her loving friends and family. She faced a rare cancer, diagnosed in 2017, with dignity and grace. The “C word” was something she never claimed—she lived each day as if it never existed, until God called her home.

Elaine was born in Knoxville in 1951 to Homer and Pauline Wagner. She graduated from Horace Maynard High School in 1969. In March 1971, she married the man who won her heart, Buddy Daniels, and this year they celebrated 54 wonderful years together. She was preceded in death by two of her favorite people—her brother, Joe Wagner and her sister, Lavaughn Crider.

Elaine leaves behind her loving, supportive, and “hyper” husband, Buddy, who would have given his own life for hers; her only child (the only one they could afford, as she loved to joke), Stephanie, and her husband—Elaine’s favorite son-in-law—Adam; and the three most precious lights of her life, her grandchildren Jackson, Parker, and Jordyn Brantley. She is also survived by her beloved brother, Lynn Wagner, and her best friend on this earth, Jeanette Bradley. She loved her many nieces, nephews, grand-nieces, and grand-nephews, who most lovingly referred to her as “Aunt Dooley.”

Elaine—who hated to be called Shirley as much as she hated being asked her age or weight—is now shopping on the streets of Heaven with an unlimited credit card and her dear friend Liz Crosby, singing Jerry Lee Lewis songs with her brother Joe (and maybe even Jerry himself), and laughing hysterically with her sister Lavaughn.

She loved Jesus, her baby dog Zoie, the flowers on her Southern Living–worthy porch, and every Hallmark movie ever made. Elaine had immaculate style and grace, reflected not only in herself but in the beautiful home she lovingly created over 54 years. We will miss her laugh, her positivity, and her joy in the little things.

The family will receive friends on Sunday, November 16, from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Mynatt Funeral Home, Halls Chapel, with a service to follow, led by Elaine’s favorite pastor, Sharon Farruggia-Paige. Family and friends will meet at 10:45 a.m. at Lynnhurst Cemetery on Monday, November 17, 2025, for an 11:00 a.m. Graveside service.

Pallbearers will be Jackson Brantley, Parker Brantley, Brandon Crider, Wendall Proctor, Jim McManus, and Kevin Wilson.

The family is deeply grateful for the love and support of their wonderful neighbors, the care provided by UT Hospice, and Elaine’s special nurse, Megan, and caregiver, Nancy.

In lieu of flowers, Elaine would have appreciated donations to Harvest Christian Fellowship’s Outreach Program at hcfknox.com.