James Roy "Mac" McDaniel, age 83, passed away to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on June 27, 2021, at his home in Arkadelphia, Arkansas.

James Roy was born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana on February 24, 1938 to James Elijah McDaniel and Ophelia Nevils McDaniel.  After graduating from Baton Rouge High School, he continued his studies at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge.  Soon after college, he married his wife of 59 years, Sandra "Sandy" Sue Hickman, at Aldrich Chapel in Baton Rouge on December 24, 1962.

James Roy worked for and retired from South Central Bell Telephone Company and was known for his talent managing line installation crews throughout Baton Rouge.

He and Sandy raised their four children in Walker, Louisiana.  James Roy grew large gardens while in Walker, for which his family was so very grateful.  Often alongside his father, he spent countless hours fishing the Amite River and surrounding tributaries with his children.  He was a dedicated member of Walker Baptist Church, teaching Sunday School, and serving as a Deacon and a member of other church committees.

James Roy and Sandy retired to Arkadelphia, Arkansas. During those years, he and Sandy selflessly helped raise their grandchildren, James Roy McDaniel III and Britany McDaniel Haught.  James Roy and Sandy loved to travel coast to coast in their motorhome taking in the natural beauty of this amazing country.  He was a member of Park Hill Baptist Church in Arkadelphia where he served as a Deacon, taught men's Sunday School, and served on committees.  James Roy, not one to sit still, worked many years for SCAT (South Central Arkansas Transit) during retirement. Most important to James Roy was his family, his relationship with his Lord Jesus Christ, and his church family.

He is preceded in death by his father, James Elijah McDaniel; his mother, Ophelia Nevils McDaniel and his sister, Carol McDaniel Kaiser.

He is survived by his wife Sandy, of Arkadelphia; his daughter, Jennifer McDaniel Sivils (Paul), of Arkadelphia; and his sons, James Roy "Jim" McDaniel Jr., of Arkadelphia,, John Edward McDaniel (Terri) of Benton, Arkansas and Joel Michael McDaniel of Shreveport, Louisiana.

Grandchildren: Marc Cantu, Wade Cantu, Courtney Story, James Roy McDaniel III, Britany McDaniel Haught (Tommy), Andon McDaniel Morgan (Jimmy), Adam Sivils, Stephen Sivils, John Sivils (Mary), and Michael McDaniel.

Greatgrandchildren: Alex Haught, Ann Haught, Anika Haught, Cullen Morgan, Jade McDaniel, Alice McDaniel, Claudia McDaniel, Chloe Story, Jenna Story, Stellan Cantu, and Brody Cantu.

Pallbearers are Jim McDaniel, John McDaniel, James McDaniel, Adam Sivils, Jennifer Sivils, and Paul Sivils. Honorary Pallbearers are Chris Babb, Larry Boggs, Tyler Brown, Charles McAnally, James White, and Kenneth Wilson.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM on Wednesday, June 30, 2021 at Park Hill Baptist Church, with Craig Seals officiating.  Visitation will be from 10:00 AM until service time at the church.

Interment will be at Rest Haven Memorial Gardens in Arkadelphia.

Final arrangements are entrusted to The Welch Funeral Home of Arkadelpha.