Lonnie Sanford Daniels Sr., 92, of Sparta, passed away Aug. 22, 2024, at Life Care Center of Sparta.
Lonnie was born Feb. 21, 1932, in Sparta. He was the son Dee Daniels and Ida Rose Anderson Daniels.
He was a 1950 graduate of White County High School. After graduating, he was drafted into the U.S. Army and was stationed overseas, in Italy, as a communications specialist. Upon returning from his service, he went to college and received degrees in chemistry and physics. With these degrees, he began his teaching career in White County. He was an educator for 30 years. While teaching, mostly middle school science, he also coached the middle school girls’ basketball teams for many years with great success.
In addition to teaching, Lonnie was well known for reupholstering furniture for people all over the Upper Cumberland area and as far away as Nashville. He was the song leader at Doyle First Baptist for many years. He loved to watch Tennessee football and basketball; but his favorite love, besides family, was playing and singing gospel and bluegrass music. He could play most any kind of stringed instrument and taught many people to play as well. Since moving back to Sparta two-and-a-half years ago, he attended Macedonia the Baptist Church where he played special music just about every Sunday.
Lonnie was preceded in death by his first wife and mother of his six children, Lyda Mae Carr Daniels. They were married 49 years. He then met Sula Maynard, of Crossville. They were married 21 years before her death, in 2021. He was also preceded in death by two sisters, Dortha Teeples and Leta Sellers and four brothers, Bill Daniels, Bob Daniels, Ken Daniels, and Doug Anderson.
He leaves behind his six children and the big family that he and Lyda started when they married in 1950: Pam Sawyer (Mike), of Sparta, Debbie Harden (Rick), of Lebanon, Joy Cunningham (Bobby), of Sparta, Sandy Daniels (friend, Tanya Hooks), of Sparta, Carla Farley (Mark), of Sparta, and Ginger Phifer (Kurt), of Sparta.
Other survivors include his 13 grandchildren, 23 great- grandchildren; and four great-great grandchildren.
Pallbearers were his grandsons, Alex Rogers, Andy Rogers, Michael Cunningham, Matt Cunningham, Seth Daniels, Chase Farley, Jake Farley, and Brett Phifer.
Funeral service was 11 a.m., Aug. 27, 2024, at Oak Lawn Funeral Home, with burial in Highland Cemetery. Jeff Howard officiated.
Oak Lawn Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
