Wilma McDaniel

Wilma Yvonne McDaniel, of Boone and Winston-Salem, passed away on March 10, 2024, following complications of cancer and recent covid. 

Wilma was born in Statesville on April 19, 1940, the second child of Joseph Conway McDaniel and Barbara Robertson McDaniel, and grew up in the Charles community of northern Iredell County. She earned a bachelor’s degree from Appalachian State Teachers’ College, followed shortly with a master’s from Appalachian State University. Wilma spent her working career in Boone helping people in the surrounding area, serving many years as Director of Operations at WAMY Community Action, followed by several years as Special Projects Manager with the Northwest Regional Housing Authority.

Wilma’s great loves were her family, her friends, and her travels. She instilled a love of European travel in her son Scott, and later shared it with her granddaughters Sarah and Kelly. She treasured her friends in Boone, Winston-Salem, and beyond, enjoying afternoon and evening visits to talk over wine, and playing bridge (and usually winning) any time of day.

She is survived by her son Franklin Scott Templeton and daughter-in-law Carol Barnhill Templeton of Winston-Salem, granddaughters Sarah McDaniel Templeton of Charlottesville and Kelly Alana Templeton of Charleston, brother Joel Kent McDaniel and sister-in-law Janice Freeze McDaniel of Charles, step-son James Medlin (Wendy) and granddaughters Samantha and Lauren, step-daughters Sandra Medlin Hoover (Steve) and Joanna and her family, and several cousins, nieces, and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents, her sister Barbara McDaniel O’Carroll and brother-in-law John Patrick O’Carroll, and her husband Roy Lee Medlin.

Wilma did not want a funeral. Following a graveside service for immediate family at Oakwood Cemetery in Statesville, celebrations of her life will be held in Boone and Winston-Salem at later dates. The family would like to thank Dr. Andy Dothard and the team at the Novant Health Cancer Institute, everyone who cared so well for Wilma with Hairston Home Care, and Trellis Supportive Care. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider donating to the Forsyth Backpack Program, Cancer Services, Trellis Supportive Care, or another charity of your choosing. 

We take comfort that Wilma/mom/MeMc is probably playing cards and drinking wine with friends and family right now, somewhere that feels distinctly Italian.