Velma Lee (Ray) McDaniel passed away May 19, 2026. She was born April 15, 1941, in Shawnee, OK to Samuel G. Ray and Doll Gennie (Harwell) Ray.
Velma graduated in 1959 from McLoud High School and then attended Hills Business College in Oklahoma City. She was a very good basketball player for McLoud and played semi pro. She still holds the record at MHS for most rebounds in a single game, 38 in 1958. In 1958-59 she was voted by Pottawatomie County Coaches as the best basketball guard in Pottawatomie County.
On Sept. 14, 1959, she married the love of her life Bailey Joe McDaniel in McLoud, OK. She worked as a secretary most of her career. Working at Oklahoma State University, Owens Country Sausage, and Oklahoma Welders. She and her husband owned and operated businesses in Kingston, OK. and Buncombe Creek on Lake Texoma. Later she dealt in antiques, appraising, buying and selling.
Preceding her in death was her husband of 56 years, Bailey; her parents; brother, Sammy Gene Ray; sister, Jewel Dean Ray; and brother-in-law, Vernon McDaniel.
Survivors include her daughter, Anita Cameron and husband, Terrell of Gore, OK; son, Dr. Dean McDaniel and wife, Jennifer of Victoria, TX.; seven grandchildren: Derek Bridgman and Laura of Oktaha, OK, Krista and Gee Tyler of Vian, OK., Kelsey and Logan Tyler of Collinsville, OK., Megan and Sergio Garcia, Shay and Taylor Strauch, Heather and D.J. Hybner, Grant and Ally McDaniel, Ava Schulte and Mia Schulte all of Victoria TX.; great grandchildren, Lillian Troy, River, Joaquin, Dakota, Harper, Kingston, Cal, and soon to be Oaklynn; one sister, Belvia Boland of McLoud, OK; one brother in law and two sisters in law, Geraldine McDaniel of Albany TX., Kerry and Tusnee McDaniel of Gloucester, VA.; many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
Velma was a member of the (D.A.R.) Daughters of the American Revolution in McAlester, Oklahoma, The state D.A.R of Oklahoma and the National Chapter in Washington D.C., the Eufaula Genealogy Club. She was also a member of Gore Baptist Church, Gore, Oklahoma.
Service were held May 23, 2026, at First South- ern Baptist Church Gore, in Gore, OK with Pastor Tim Perkins o ciating. Graveside followed at Dale Cemetery with Pastor DuWayne Colvin officiating under the direction of Cooper Funeral Home of Tecumseh.
