MR. JOHNNY EARL McDANIEL, SR., age 70, of Rhine, GA, passed away on Monday, November 2, 2026, at Community Hospice in Vidalia, GA.
MR. JOHNNY EARL McDANIEL, SR., age 70, of Rhine, GA, passed away on Monday, November 2, 2026, at Community Hospice in Vidalia, GA.
A celebration of life service will be held at 11:00AM Thursday, November 5, at Southerland Funeral Chapel, with Bishop Ralph Horne officiating.
Johnny was born in Glenwood, GA, on October 23, 1956, to the late Jewell Tanner McDaniel and Roscoe “Rock” McDaniel. He was raised in Wheeler County, as the youngest of six siblings, and was of the Christian Faith. He attended Wheeler County High School, and soon after married Kathy Powell McDaniel. He worked as a foreman for several logging companies over his 30 plus year career and later worked as a heavy equipment operator for DLC Hauling and Excavating in Rhine, GA.
Johnny loved fishing. He loved fishing so much that many of his friends and family members would affectionately call him “The Mullet Master” or just simply, “Johnny Mc”. He was also an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting. Johnny additionally enjoyed nights with his friends at Cedar Lane Social Club in McRae and the Blind Horse in Rhine singing karaoke, where supposedly the ladies affectionately called him “Papa Daddy”. But most of all, Johnny was a family man, who loved his family dearly. He possessed a big heart and was a very giving person who will be truly missed by all.
In addition to his parents, Johnny was preceded in death by his wife, Kathy Powell McDaniel, daughter, Patricia McDaniel Durden, and siblings, Eugene McDaniel, Jerry McDaniel, and Harold McDaniel.
He is survived by his Children – Johnny (Little Johnny) McDaniel, Jr. (Brittany) of Warner Robins, Michael McDaniel of Cordele, and Kristy Seabolt of Jacksonville, GA; Grandchildren – Brandon Register (Jordan), Payton McDaniel (Chessy), Zoey Durden, Kathy Alyssa Lynn McDaniel, Madilyn Cheyenne McDaniel, Haley McDaniel, Jaydon McDaniel, Tristan McDaniel, Kaylie Ray McDaniel, and Breanna McDaniel; Sister – Josephine M. Rogers of Fitzgerald; Brother – David McDaniel of Eastman; Several nieces and nephew, and numerous friends.
The family will receive friends in Southerland Funeral Chapel from 10:00AM-11:00AM Thursday, November 5.
Locally owned and operated, Stokes-Southerland Funeral Home, has been "A Tradition of Trust" to Eastman, Dodge County and Middle Georgia for over 65 years.