Janet McDaniel

Janet Nava (Jorgensen) McDaniel was born on February 21, 1950, to Natalie Joyce (Hayden) Jorgensen and Bill A. Jorgensen formerly of Elmhurst, IL. She was born with a caring soul that she shared with the world, a deep love of children and a steadfast loyalty to her friends and family. She is survived by her husband of 51 years James Nathan McDaniel, two sons Jason Tinsley and Jamie McDaniel (Virginia) of Cumming GA, two sisters, Chrissie Shane (Pat) of Altamonte Springs, FL and Mary Lou Jorgensen of Orlando, FL, three grandchildren, Danielle, Nava, and Jameson, two great grandchildren, Heather and River. Janet was preceded in death by her parents and sister Julie Jorgensen.

Janet or "Mrs. Mac" as she was known to so many children in the community, began working at Midway Elementary School in the late 1970s and did so until her retirement in 2013. During that time she served as a paraprofessional in PE, and instructional support while attending Kennesaw State to get her teaching degree. She went on to get her Masters in Education and Specialists Degree in Curriculum. The majority of her career, however, was spent teaching Kindergarten and First Grade.

Her passion for bettering the lives of young children was unrivaled. She personified the idea of teaching the whole child, meeting the needs of students not just academically but socially and emotionally as well. She created deep and real connections with every child she taught, connections they remember even now as adults.

Janet was a friend to each person she met, and she never met a stranger. She insisted on speaking to each and every baby no matter where she happened to be. She never failed to give it to you straight, but in a disarming and funny way with a joke, a gag, or just a needed piece of sage advice. She will live in our hearts forever.

Visitation will be from 1:30pm - 2:00pm on Saturday, May 4th, 2024 at First Baptist Church Cumming. A celebration of life will also be held at the church beginning at 2:00pm on May 4th, 2024.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the American Cancer Society or OCRA Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance.