Marion Andrew McDaniel

Dr. Marion A. McDaniel, Age 81, went to be with the Lord on March 15, 2018. Dr. McDaniel was born March 6, 1937 in Helena, Arkansas to Mr. and Mrs. Marion Dee McDaniel. In 1955, he graduated from Treadwell High School in Memphis, Tennessee, where he was president of his class and voted Most Likely to Succeed. After high school, he served 4 years in the United States Air Force. Upon his honorable discharge from the Air Force, he attended Memphis State University and was accepted into University of Tennessee Medical School. He graduated from medical school in 1970, returned to Helena, and joined the medical practice of Dr. Pat McCarty and Dr. H.N. Faulkner. In 1980, he formed his own practice. While serving as the Chief of Staff, he was instrumental in relocating the Helena Regional Medical Center to its current location. To all of his patients, he was affectionately known as "Dr. Mac" and he practiced medicine until his retirement in 2012. During his career, he served on the Helena Hospital Board of Trustees for 12 years and as Chief of Staff for 4 years. Concurrently, as the Phillips County Health Officer for 20 years, he worked with the Phillips County Health Department and was instrumental in setting up the first hospice program in Phillips County. Dr. Mac also served as the Physician in Charge at the Helena Women's & Family Planning Clinic at the Phillips County Health Department for many years. He was recognized as a Physician Associate by the University of Arkansas Medical School for 3 years where he mentored many medical students. Dr. Mac loved his profession and his patients. His favorite part of being a doctor was delivering babies. During his career, he delivered over 7,000 babies and, in 1991, delivered 550. He also served on the Board of Directors at Helena National Bank for 20 years. Dr. McDaniel is survived by his wife of 55 years, Phyllis, two sons, Michael A. McDaniel (Mary) and Thomas P. McDaniel (Tonya), two sisters, Merry Bogle and Veniece Burton. He leaves behind six adoring grandchildren: Dr. Christopher Michael McDaniel, Mary Catherine McDaniel, William Marion McDaniel, Anna Morgan McDaniel, Phillip Harrison McDaniel and Monty Bradford Sinks. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Helena Regional Medical Center Auxiliary, 1801 Martin Luther King Dr., Helena, Ark. 72342 or First United Methodist Church, 502 Porter St., Helena, AR 72342. A celebration of life for Dr. McDaniel will be held at 2 p.m., Friday, March 23, 2018 at the First United Methodist Church in Helena. Roller-Citizens Funeral Home, West Helena, (870) 572-2571. Relatives and friends may sign the online guestbook at www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/westhelena.