Funeral services for Mrs. Anita Dunaway McDaniel were conducted at 2 p.m. Saturday, April 30, 2022, at Whitesand Baptist Church in Prentiss with interment following in Whitesand Cemetery.  Rev. David Watson officiated.  Mrs. McDaniel, age 85, entered into the eternal rest of her Lord late Wednesday morning, April 27, 2022, at her residence in Hammond, Louisiana.

Anita Dunaway McDaniel was born on March 14, 1937, in Prentiss, to Clarence and Dorothy (nee McNease) Shoemaker.  Anita was a homemaker and gardening enthusiast. She was a devoted wife and mother, but her greatest passion was being “Meme” to her grandchildren.

The love she had for her grandchildren was surely mutual. They adored her and she had a special relationship with each one of them.

In her younger years, she was also a member of the Junior League and Ladies Garden Club. She was also a member of Carnival Crew of Juno and was chosen to reign as their Queen in 1995.

Her faith was very important to her. She was a member of the Baptist Church her entire life. When her children were young, she taught Sunday School and directed Vacation Bible School.

Anita is preceded in death by her parents, as well as her high school sweetheart, Donald Dunaway, who became her first husband and father of her children, and Bill McDaniel, her second husband. She was also preceded in death by her precious grandson, Charles Dunaway Smither.

Her memory will be forever cherished by her son, Duane Dunaway of Hattiesburg; two daughters, Terri Cashen (David) of Hammond, Louisiana, Mary Stacy Smither (Dale Lavigne) of Ponchatoula, Louisiana; former daughter-in-law, Kay Stephens (Mike) of Gilbert, Louisiana; step-son, Jimmy McDaniel of Bush, Louisiana; two step-daughters, Dr. Lisa Wentz (Ed) of Lubbock, Texas and Paula Dowd (Sean) of McKinney, Texas. The legacy of their Meme will also live on through her 19 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren. She will be greatly missed by her sister-in-law, Heloise Walley,  her dearly loved nephew, Chip Walley and her special friend, Francis Herrin.

The family received friends Saturday, April 30, 2022, from noon until the hour of service at Whitesand Baptist Church.

Online condolences and a guest registry are available at www.saultersmoorefuneralhome.com.