Kay McDaniel

Kay McDaniel, who carried her childhood dream of playing tennis to stardom, died from health complications on January 3, 2025, in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Kay was born on September 25, 1957, in Shreveport, Louisiana to parents Bill and Frances McDaniel. She is predeceased by her parents and her grandparents, Judge Owen and Frances Thomas and Dr. Bryan and Carolyn McDaniel of Abilene, Texas.

She is survived by two brothers, John (Sid) McDaniel of Alexandria, Louisiana and Judge Bryan (Jackie) McDaniel of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, niece Currey (Brendan) Bayard, also of Baton Rouge, and nephews Thomas (Kristen) McDaniel of Nashville, Tennessee, Cade (Jessica) McDaniel of Alexandria, and Drew (Leslie) McDaniel of Missouri City, Texas and 12 great nieces and nephews. She is also survived by best friend and sister in Christ, Tracey Carlson of Cleveland, Tennessee.

Kay grew up in Shreveport, a dynamic personality and natural athlete with a strong competitive spirit and remarkable physical prowess. She purchased her first tennis racket with 5,000 green stamps at the age of eleven. Seeing her natural talent and drive, in long hours of practicing, her parents summoned Jerry Montgomery to coach her and before long she was competing; her mother sewing all her tennis outfits by hand. Over several years, she exceled in local and state tournaments and was ranked #1 in the South (9 states) for seven consecutive years in all three age divisions, 14's, 16's and 18's. She was also the Louisiana High School State Champion (Captain Shreve High School). She was a three-time All American (1976-78), playing #1 for Louisiana State University in singles and doubles, reaching the top national collegiate and twenty-one singles ranking.

McDaniel represented the U.S. at the major pro tournaments (Wimbledon, the U.S. Open, and the French Open), competing against such legendary players as Billie Jean King, Evonne Goolagong, Chris Evert, Martina Navratilova, and Steffi Graff, and played doubles with Pam Shriver. She eventually achieved Top World Professional Ranking of #20 in doubles and #30 in singles. She received the Concord Award for Fastest Serve in Women's Professional Tennis. However, what she considered her most cherished achievement was her relationship with Jesus Christ, later authoring a devotional book called Serving the Master.

After leaving the professional circuit, Kay received a B.S. degree in Biblical Studies from Lee University (Cleveland, Tennessee), minoring in Psychology and Christian Education and her M.S.S. degree from the U.S. Sports Academy (Daphne, Alabama). In 1991, Kay joined Lee University as coach of the men and women's tennis teams. She joined the faculty of the Helen DeVos College of Education where she taught for 26 years. She also served as a Strengths Vocational Advisor, assisting students in matching their gifts with their majors and potential career paths.

In her tennis career and after, Kay met several physical and health challenges, which she endured with her typical perseverance. She was devoted to her faith community and spoke at Emmaus retreats and gave motivational talks, inspiring many on how to successfully overcome obstacles.

For the last 31 years, Kay spearheaded the free summer Kay McDaniel Tennis Clinics sponsored by Lee University, hoping to give every child the opportunity to learn her beloved game of tennis and encounter the unconditional love of God, through the daily gospel themes she wove into their practices.

In 2022, she published a children's book entitled Be a Dream Chaser, hoping to inspire kids to "dream BIG" by sharing her own story of following her dreams. Thousands of lives have been impacted by her passion and love for her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. She will be sorely missed by her friends and family who were so blessed to know and love her.

Funeral services for Kay will take place on Monday, January 13, 2025 in the Shelli Cody Memorial Sanctuary located at Companion Funeral Home- The Ridge Chapel 2412 Georgetown Road in Cleveland, Tennessee (www.companionfunerals.com). Visitation will be from 1:00-4:00 p.m., followed by a Celebration of Life Service at 4:00 p.m. officiated by Dr. Paul Conn, President of Lee University and Kevin Mendel, Reverend of Grace Community Church of God. Internment will take place at Forest Park Cemetery, 3700 St. Vincent Ave., Shreveport, LA on Friday, January 17 at 1:30 PM CST.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Lee University (www.leeuniversity.edu/give/) to establish a scholarship in Kay's name for a deserving education major or to the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Ocoee Region (www.ocoeefca.org) who will be sponsoring future Kay McDaniel Tennis Clinics.

You are encouraged to share a memory of Kay and/or your personal condolences with her family by visiting her memorial webpage and guestbook at www.companionfunerals.com. Companion Funeral Home and the Cody family are honored to assist Kay's family with these arrangements.