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May 3, 1937 – July 21, 2015

NATCHEZ — Services for Jerry McDaniel, 78, of Natchez, who died Tuesday, July 21, 2015, at Merit Health Natchez, will be 11 a.m. Saturday at Laird Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Mickey Alexander officiating.

Burial will follow at the Natchez City Cemetery under the direction of Laird Funeral Home.

Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. today and from 10 a.m. until time Saturday, both at the funeral home.

Mr. McDaniel was born May 3, 1937, in Adams County, the son of Ed McDaniel and Bertha Mae Entrekin McDaniel.

He was a lifelong resident of Adams County and had served 43 years in protection of life and property in Natchez-Adams County.

Mr. McDaniel served 20 years with the Natchez Fire Department, retiring as Chief of Fire Prevention Bureau and 23 years with the Adams County Sheriff’s Office. He was employed as a criminal deputy sheriff under William T. “Billy” Ferrell Sr. and William T. “Tommy” Ferrell Jr., retiring as chief deputy.

He also coached little league baseball for 15 years. He also loved Harbor Freight.

Mr. McDaniel was a great man of faith and loved his family.

He was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, Claude O. McDaniel, Edward L. McDaniel and Jackie Lee McDaniel; one sister-in-law, Joan McDaniel; and one grandson, Jasen Myers.

Survivors include his wife, Norma R. McDaniel; three children, Demarie McDaniel Walters, Tommy McDaniel and wife, Theresa, all of Natchez, and Robb Steppe and wife, Teresa, of Hephzibah, Ga.; three grandsons, Jeremy Cain Walters and fiancée, Stacy Huff, and Christopher T. McDaniel, all of Natchez, and Jeramie Myers and Melissa, of Hephzibah; three granddaughters, Maegan Myers of Hephzibah, Heather Strahan and husband, Kevin, and Amelia Roberts and husband, Scott, all of Brandon; one brother, Billy Ray McDaniel and wife, Peggie, of Natchez; two sisters, Margaret Ann Harveston and husband, Lewis, of Natchez and Sue Audrey Cockerham and husband, James, of Vidalia; one sister in law, Jean McDaniel of Natchez; one special aunt, Violet Smith; and 10 great-grandchildren.

Pallbearers will be Chuck McDaniel, David “Cracky” McDaniel, Steve Troutman, Barry Harveston, Jeremy Walters and Christopher McDaniel.

Memorials may be made to the Natchez Children’s Home.

Online condolences may be sent to lairdfh.com.