Marilyn was born in Donalsonville, GA. She was raised with her brothers and sisters during her father’s ministry in the Church of God. Marilyn was actively involved in music, playing the piano, teaching Sunday School, and singing with her family in various church events, her hometown community, surrounding cities and on the radio. In 1973, Marilyn married David McDaniel. After establishing her marriage, she embarked on a fulfilling career journey, starting as a piano teacher to 30 students. She also played piano and organ in the Georgia and Florida Church of God Camp Meetings and served as a camp counselor in the South Georgia Youth Camps. In 1974, God called David into the ministry. They began to evangelize across several states and pastored in Kansas and Georgia. In 1977, they had a son, Larry LaShon, and in 1980, they had a daughter, Stacey Michelle.
In 1983, she and David moved to Tallahassee, FL, driven by the pursuit of a specialized education for their son, who had a significant hearing loss. They found the W. T. Moore Elementary School in Leon County, which had teachers for the hearing impaired, providing their son with the necessary support and resources. Marilyn and David embraced the opportunity to learn sign language. This new skill enriched their ability to communicate with and interpret for their son, interpret for the deaf in church, include sign language in songs and teach the language to family members and others.
Marilyn pursued an Associate of Arts Degree at Tallahassee Community College, and in 1984, she began a fulfilling career with the State of Florida. She served in various capacities in the Florida Department of Commerce including Economic Development, International Trade and Development, and the Bureau of Business Assistance. In 1988, she became Administrative Staff Assistant to the Lieutenant Governor of the State of Florida in the Executive Office of the Governor in the State Capitol. In 1991, her professional path led to the Tallahassee Community Hospital, where she worked as an Executive Assistant across multiple departments. In this role she contributed to various administrative and developmental projects such as training hospital employees on new computer programs, designed digital policy and procedure manuals for all hospital departments, and transcribed for Physical Therapy, Radiology, Diagnostic Cardiac Services and Ambulatory Services. She also managed the offices of Administration, Human Resources, Nursing Administration, and Communicare Center as needed.
In 1993, David’s job transferred him to Gainesville, FL. Marilyn continued her professional career at the University of Florida as Senior Assistant to the Assistant Vice President of IFAS SHARE Development in the Department of Agriculture. Later, she became Executive Assistant to the Vice President and Director of Stewardship and Donor Relations at the University of Florida Foundation. During this time, she also pursued an Associate of Applied Sciences Degree at Santa Fe Community College, where also her daughter graduated as an Ultrasound Technologist. Eventually, she joined Westwood Hills Church of God, now known as Cross Point Church of God, serving in numerous roles, including Music Department Director, Piano Player, and Planning Center Administrator while continuously enriching the church community with her administrative and musical talents.
In 2016, Marilyn retired from both the State of Florida and the University of Florida Foundation. She is enjoying retirement and traveling across the U.S. with her family, visiting America’s National Parks and historical sites in the Western States. One of her favorite memories is driving through Yellow Stone National Park and stopping to admire the majestic waterfalls cascading down rugged cliffs and the serene rivers winding through lush valleys. She loves her husband and children and marvels at her three amazing grandchildren Charlie, Maya, and Elijah. Marilyn continues to pursue her passion in music by participating in the church band and learning the music to new songs as much as possible. Above all she is determined to live faithfully and pleasingly for God.
Marilyn was born in Donalsonville, GA. She was raised with her brothers and sisters during her father’s ministry in the Church of God. Marilyn was actively involved in music, playing the piano, teaching Sunday School, and singing with her family in various church events, her hometown community, surrounding cities and on the radio. In 1973, Marilyn married David McDaniel. After establishing her marriage, she embarked on a fulfilling career journey, starting as a piano teacher to 30 students. She also played piano and organ in the Georgia and Florida Church of God Camp Meetings and served as a camp counselor in the South Georgia Youth Camps. In 1974, God called David into the ministry. They began to evangelize across several states and pastored in Kansas and Georgia. In 1977, they had a son, Larry LaShon, and in 1980, they had a daughter, Stacey Michelle.
In 1983, she and David moved to Tallahassee, FL, driven by the pursuit of a specialized education for their son, who had a significant hearing loss. They found the W. T. Moore Elementary School in Leon County, which had teachers for the hearing impaired, providing their son with the necessary support and resources. Marilyn and David embraced the opportunity to learn sign language. This new skill enriched their ability to communicate with and interpret for their son, interpret for the deaf in church, include sign language in songs and teach the language to family members and others.
Marilyn pursued an Associate of Arts Degree at Tallahassee Community College, and in 1984, she began a fulfilling career with the State of Florida. She served in various capacities in the Florida Department of Commerce including Economic Development, International Trade and Development, and the Bureau of Business Assistance. In 1988, she became Administrative Staff Assistant to the Lieutenant Governor of the State of Florida in the Executive Office of the Governor in the State Capitol. In 1991, her professional path led to the Tallahassee Community Hospital, where she worked as an Executive Assistant across multiple departments. In this role she contributed to various administrative and developmental projects such as training hospital employees on new computer programs, designed digital policy and procedure manuals for all hospital departments, and transcribed for Physical Therapy, Radiology, Diagnostic Cardiac Services and Ambulatory Services. She also managed the offices of Administration, Human Resources, Nursing Administration, and Communicare Center as needed.
In 1993, David’s job transferred him to Gainesville, FL. Marilyn continued her professional career at the University of Florida as Senior Assistant to the Assistant Vice President of IFAS SHARE Development in the Department of Agriculture. Later, she became Executive Assistant to the Vice President and Director of Stewardship and Donor Relations at the University of Florida Foundation. During this time, she also pursued an Associate of Applied Sciences Degree at Santa Fe Community College, where also her daughter graduated as an Ultrasound Technologist. Eventually, she joined Westwood Hills Church of God, now known as Cross Point Church of God, serving in numerous roles, including Music Department Director, Piano Player, and Planning Center Administrator while continuously enriching the church community with her administrative and musical talents.
In 2016, Marilyn retired from both the State of Florida and the University of Florida Foundation. She is enjoying retirement and traveling across the U.S. with her family, visiting America’s National Parks and historical sites in the Western States. One of her favorite memories is driving through Yellow Stone National Park and stopping to admire the majestic waterfalls cascading down rugged cliffs and the serene rivers winding through lush valleys. She loves her husband and children and marvels at her three amazing grandchildren Charlie, Maya, and Elijah. Marilyn continues to pursue her passion in music by participating in the church band and learning the music to new songs as much as possible. Above all she is determined to live faithfully and pleasingly for God.
