Loyd A. Z. McDaniel, 93, of Blacksburg, went home to be with the Lord on Friday, February 12, 2016, surrounded by his loving family. The son of James Lawson and Pearl Cashion McDaniel, A. Z. was born on January 27, 1923. He was a member of the Greatest Generation. A WWII veteran, he proudly served his country as a combat engineer in the European Theater. After returning from war, he married the love of his life, Audrey, and created a godly home for their six children. They were married for seventy years.
A. Z. was a lifelong, active member of Hopewell Baptist Church, teaching Sunday School for fifty-six years. He served as a deacon and was recognized as a Deacon Emeritus on May 18, 2008. Always willing to volunteer, A. Z. served as interim pastor for a year during the illness of the church's pastor. In this role and as a Bible scholar, he devoted himself to years of studying and teaching "The Heart of Hebrew History" and "The Heart of the New Testament" by H.I. Hester.
Through the years, he traveled extensively on mission trips, using his skill as a master carpenter to repair homes destroyed by natural disasters and to Jamaica to build a church. In addition to his service to the Lord, A. Z. has left such a legacy and example to his family, friends and community. He established McDaniel Construction in 1966, which is known for fifty years of "Building Excellence."
He is survived by his loving wife, Audrey, and five children: daughter - Judy (Barry) Hamrick of Gaffney; son - Ronnie (Janice) McDaniel of Blacksburg; daughter - Christy (Jim) Touchberry of Ninety Six, SC; son - Tony (Renita) McDaniel; son - Tracy (Karen) McDaniel; as well as a sister - Sara Logan, all of Blacksburg. A. Z. and Audrey were blessed with seventeen grandchildren and thirty great-grandchildren.
A. Z. was preceeded in death by his parents, a beloved son, Kenny McDaniel, his sisters - Eva Allen, Lois Broome, Bessie McDaniel, Mary Floyd, and Evelyn McDaniel, brothers James and William McDaniel, as well as three grandchildren - Natali and Shannon Hamrick and Morgan McDaniel.
A. Z. has now met the One he lived to serve, his Lord Jesus Christ, and no doubt has heard Him say, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant."
The family will receive friends Sunday, February 14, 2016, from 1:30 - 3:00 PM, at Hopewell Baptist Church, with a Celebration Of Life Service beginning at 3:00 PM, with Rev. Eddie Bolin officiating. Interment with military honors will follow in the church cemetery.
Pallbearers serving are Lucas McDaniel, Ben Touchberry, Hunter McDaniel, Bryce Hamrick, Drake Hamrick, Davis White, Brock Hamrick and Kayson McDaniel.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hopewell Baptist Church, Building Fund, 511 Old Chester Road, Blacksburg, SC,
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