Kay Frances Daniels

Kay Frances Walston Daniels, fondly known as Kay Frances, was born in Edgecombe County, North Carolina on July 5, 1940. She was the eleventh child born of the union of the late Minnie Little Walston and Joe Walston, Sr. Kay was educated in the Edgecombe County School System and raised in a Christian household. During Kay’s formative years, she grew up on their family’s tobacco farm in North Carolina, where she often was found hiding under the family house, trying to avoid her chores. As a member of the Morning Star Baptist Church, Kay enjoyed attending Sunday school. Kay’s sister, Ann, and brother, Joe, led the class, providing Kay the perfect opportunity to mock and laugh at them. After graduating from high school, Kay followed her big brother, the late W. W. Walston, to Richmond, Virginia, where she enrolled in Virginia Union University. Deciding to follow her heart, Kay married the late Lonnie Daniels and moved to Long Island, New York. Their union was blessed with two children, Marchetta and Joseph. While living in Long Island, Kay worked for the State of New York for more than 20 years. She relocated to Fort Myers, Florida with her children, where she worked as a counselor for troubled youth. Wanting to be closer to her family, Kay relocated to Richmond, Virginia, where she was joined shortly thereafter by her longtime companion, Fred Hallman, of 30 years. Kay was blessed to have a close relationship with Fred’s daughter, Susan, who she treated as her own. In 1999, Kay retired from counseling to pursue her true passion and calling as a caterer. Kay was considered one of the foremost caterers in the Richmond area. She had a reputation for preparing unique, mouth-watering dishes, serving her clients with love, and making everyone around her laugh with her one-of-a-kind sense of humor. Kay’s customers adored her; Kay’s busy calendar was proof of that! From intimate family gatherings to large legislative functions, Kay provided a top-notch, unforgettable experience. Kay had a big, beautiful personality that matched her big, beautiful heart. She loved her grandchildren so much that when they were born, she moved from Virginia to Maryland to be their full-time caretaker; first for Addyson in 2005 where Kay stayed until Addy started school; and later for Harper in 2013. Kay loved opportunities to spend time with her family and friends. She could often be found with her nieces, Renee and Robin and their friends, playing pokeno, eating, drinking and trash-talking. At the annual Walston Family Gathering, you could always find Kay cooking on the grill and preparing all the fixins’. One of Kay’s most favorite events was the Hampton Jazz Festival, which she attended every year with her sister, Ann, niece Barbara, and her sister-in-love, Hazel. Kay was called home to be with our Lord on January 8, 2021. She leaves to cherish her wonderful life, two children, Marchetta Daniels Powell (Chris) and Joseph Daniels; her bonus daughter, Susan Conner (Kevin); two grandchildren, Addyson Brooke Powell and Harper Brooke Powell; one sister, Annie Walston Cobb; one brother, Joe Walston, Jr.; her godson, Darrel Manning; a host of loving nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, cousins and dear family friends. Kay was preceded in death by her life partner of 30 years, loving parents and eight siblings: Woodrow Walston, Mable Battle, Lucille Burnett, Effie Brooks, Beatrice Smith, Rufus Walston, Minnie Hicks, Wilbert Walston, and a brother who perished shortly after birth. Kay was the life of the party, a crybaby by nature, a friend to the friendless, and a mom and aunt to the friends of her children, nieces and nephews. To know Kay was to love her. Her memory will forever be celebrated by all who knew her.

Kay Frances Daniels

July 5, 1940 - January 8, 2021