LUCY L DANIEL

Lucy Daniel was born on April 12, 1922, in Middleburg, North Carolina to Mary Ingram Bullock and Arthur W. Bullock. She was the second of six children. She attended school in Middleburg North Carolina and worked on her father’s farm where she picked tobacco and cotton in the fields while dreaming of moving to the “big city”. While in the fields, she would wave to the passengers on the train as it went by and promised herself that one day she would be on that train. The opportunity came when Lucy was just 16 years old. The family that she worked for as a domestic asked her father for permission to take her with them to Baltimore, Maryland. He approved, and that was the beginning of her life journey. She fondly reminisced about her life in Baltimore, and the two sister whom she befriended there.  Although initially claiming to only have been attending church with them all of the time; one night while reminiscing, she admitted that she also went “out on the town” with her girlfriends! In the early 1940’s she moved with the family to San Diego and continued to cook, keep house, and take care of their children. She would often point out the house on Federal Boulevard where she’d lived with the family, proudly pointing to the window that was her bedroom; and telling the story of how she jumped out of that window when she mistakenly thought there was a burglar in the house (forgetting all about the kids!).

She went on to work as a housekeeper and cook for families in Point Loma and La Jolla. Dedicated and reliable, she would often have to commute on the bus daily to the homes where she worked. A wonderful cook, over the years, her skills would become in high demand for their holiday parties and get-togethers. She loved every moment of it because she loved to cook. Her home was the center of hospitality, and it was well known that anyone could come by and be welcomed to sit down to good meal any day of the week. Her door was always open, and her kind and gentle spirit endeared her to everyone

Throughout her life she worked in several occupations: painting and plastering houses; as a factory worker at Facet and National Pen Corporations; and running her own business as a Home Day Care provider. Her first love was always cooking, and she worked as a cook for convalescent and nursing homes throughout the greater San Diego area.

Unable to pass up the opportunity to travel abroad, in 1993 she moved with her daughter’s family to the U.S. Navy Base at Fleet Activities, Yokosuka, Japan; and again in 2004 when they moved to the Yongsan Army Garrison, Seoul, South Korea. Well into her 70’s and though she considered herself “retire” she still wanted to work, and quickly found a job in Japan as a cook for the Navy Base Childcare Center. She found that she loved to travel and became somewhat of a globetrotter, frequently traveling back to San Diego for a short and long-term visit. She moved back to the United States permanently in 2005, and finally decided to really retire at the age of 83. She continued to cook meals daily, opening her door to all who wanted to partake of her meals.

She was dedicated to the church throughout her life, attending several throughout her lifetime, and sending her children to Sunday School and Church from the time they were young. Later in life, she was a founding member of Praise Center Church of God in Christ; founded by Elder Robert W. Booker and the late Dr. Virginia Booker. Then she united with St. Timothy Christian Center Church of God in Christ under the leadership of Past Jim Reynolds. She faithfully served on St. Timothy Christian Center Mothers Board.

Mother Daniel and her most special best friends; Neighbor Mother Odean Hayes; Mother Ruth Lasky; and Mother Margaret Buckner were inseparable “road buddies”. Having never learned to drive, she would travel all over San Diego with these ladies, with Mother Hayes at the wheel. Church and shopping were their favorite outings.

One day, while shopping with her friends, she got separated from them and called her son Ben frantically telling him that she was in Rite Aid and that her “ride” had left her behind. Ben quickly drove down to Rite Aid to find her; however, there was no sign of her when he arrived. Distraught, worried and desperately trying to find her, Ben and the Rite Aid Managers checked the camera footage on each aisle, but didn’t see her in any of the videos. Frantic and concerned that they had lost an elderly customer in their store, the managers were ready to call the Police and Sheriff’s Department thinking that this little old lady had been kidnapped from their store? Just then Lucy called home again and calmly said; “Never mind, I found the other ladies”. Then, very nonchalantly stated that she was in CVS not Rite Aid, as if they had gotten it wrong? Everyone was relieved and, although they didn’t think it was so funny at the time, have since learned to laugh about it! It was a typical “Lucy” story! She slowed down when she was diagnosed with breast cancer nine years ago, but still enjoyed getting out when she could, and having her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren surrounding her as often as possible.

April 12, 2022, she celebrated her 100th birthday sharing laughs and jokes while being surrounded by a host of family, friends, and well-wishers.

A wonderful mother and a gracious lady, with a sweet, loving, generous nature (who was at times a little feisty!), she always put her children first, Friends, parents, day care children, co-workers and everyone she met loved her, affectionately calling her “Mom & Grandma,” She was well loved as a second mother and grandmother every place she lived from San Diego to Japan to Korea. A lovely lady with a beautiful soul.

On Monday evening, September 26th, 2022 the Lord called her home, and make her transition from labor to reward.

She was proceeded by her parents, Robert and Mary Bullock; her brothers Joseph, Robert, and Edard Bullock; her sister Lille Mae Seward; her son Andrew Younger Daniel; and her grandson Edward Anthony Daniels.

She is survived by her brother George Bullock: her sons Benjamin Daniel Jr, Carl Daniel; and Alonzo Jones; her daughter Arcelia M. Denby (Gregory); her grandchildren; Angela Danie; Larina Denby; David Galvez Jr. (LaShekita), Gregory Denby; Alona Harper (Quinton); Kevin Deby; Diana Yisrael (Charles); Alondra Jones; and Anthony Jones; eleven (11) great-grandchildren; special friends Martha Mestas, Bernice Shipley, Mae Barber and Odean Hayes; and a host of other relatives and friends.

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