Dollie Avis (Durrett) Daniels

Dollie Daniels of Athens, Georgia, died September 17, 2019. She was the daughter of Joseph Arthur Durrett and Vivian Irene Bedford Durrett, originally of East Point, Georgia. Born in Norfolk, Virginia, where her father was stationed in the Navy, she later graduated from Russell High School in East Point, GA, in 1948.  She married Charles Lester Daniels, also of East Point, on June 10, 1949.

After teaching kindergarten for 10 years, she received her B.A. from Eckerd College, St. Petersburg, Florida, and her master’s in public health from Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia. Director of Graduate Studies and Associate Faculty for Emory University, Rollins School of Public Health in the Division of Epidemiology, she received the Shepard Award for her master’s research in 1992 and was presented the Award of Distinction for Outstanding Service and Contributions to the University in 1994. She retired from Emory in 2002 after more than 20 years of teaching and providing administrative, academic, career, and personal counseling to students.

An avid writer, Dollie authored A Shared Dream: The Genesis of Academic Public Health at Emory University (2000), the history of the Rollins School of Public Health. She also wrote Aloha Midway Island: A Memoir; Joseph Arthur Durrett: The Man from Middle Creek (1898–1999) ; and Whitney Brook Farm (a children’s book). She enjoyed collecting antiques and first-edition books, and was a talented seamstress/needlework artist.

A lifetime member of the Presbyterian church, she sang in the choir, taught Sunday School, and served as Youth Director. She served as historian of the Agnes Lee Chapter of the United Daughters of the Confederacy (Decatur, Georgia) and delivered numerous presentations about the Confederate era.

Survivors include her four children (and spouses): Charles Lester Daniels Jr. (Nancy Morton), Stevie O’Neal Daniels, Deborah Daniels Allen (Robert), and Carrie Daniels Bonfield (Michael); niece: Cathy Durrett; grandchildren: Jonathan Lee Crane (Nicole); Kathryn Louisa Daniels; William Arthur Allen (Victoria); Peyton O’Neal Buck (Mitch); Grady Patrick Bonfield; Charles Joseph Bonfield; Logan Michael Bonfield; great-grandchildren: Estella Ann O’Neal Crane; Charlotte Rose Odelia Crane; Ronin Wilder Buck; Kieran Ezra Allen. Her brother, Joseph Arthur Durrett Jr., predeceased her in 2015.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m., Friday, October 4, 2019, at Johns Creek United Methodist Church, 11180 Medlock Bridge Road, Johns Creek, GA 30097.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Humane Society, the Charles C. Shepard Scholarship Fund (Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia) or the James W. Curran Scholarship (Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia).

Lord and Stephens Funeral Home, WEST, Watkinsville, GA, is in charge of arrangements. www.lordandstephens.com