Memorials
This page is dedicated to honoring the memories of family members who have passed away.
If you know of a family member who has passed who is not listed here, you can add a new memorial with a photo by clicking the Create a Memorial button.
You can also write a tribute or leave your comments about those already listed on the page. (Approval may be required prior to publishing)
Emma Daniel Wilson Andrews
Birth Date:
1887-12-27
Deceased Date:
1989-01-07
Obituary:
Last surviving child of Lawrence and Savannah Daniel.
Emma and her husband Milledge had 6 children Lawrence, Sophie, James, Johnie, Garvey, and Estelle. When the boll weevil ruined crops in SC, they relocated to Hephzibah, GA . After her husband was tragically killed while digging a well, the family moved back to Johnston. She was then briefly married to Rev. John Andrews before her eldest son Lawrence permanently relocated the family to DC in the 1930s.
Dubbed the "Harriet Tubman" of the family, as family members began migrating North her home at 1219 Harvard St NW, DC was always a welcoming respite.
Last surviving child of Lawrence and Savannah Daniel.
Emma and her husband Milledge had 6 children Lawrence, Sophie, James, Johnie, Garvey, and Estelle. When the boll weevil ruined crops in SC, they relocated to Hephzibah, GA . After her husband was tragically killed while digging a well, the family moved back to Johnston. She was then briefly married to Rev. John Andrews before her eldest son Lawrence permanently relocated the family to DC in the 1930s.
Dubbed the "Harriet Tubman" of the family, as family members began migrating North her home at 1219 Harvard St NW, DC was always a welcoming respite.
There are currently no tributes.
Vitron Varnetta Valentine (Daniel)
Birth Date:
1922-03-17
Deceased Date:
2008-06-08
Obituary:
Eldest daughter of Johnny and Varnetta Daniel. Granddaughter of Savannah Jay and Lawrence Daniel.
Eldest daughter of Johnny and Varnetta Daniel. Granddaughter of Savannah Jay and Lawrence Daniel.
There are currently no tributes.
Dr. Firpo Hurley
Birth Date:
1925-10-25
Deceased Date:
2017-10-14
Obituary:
Grandson of Lawrence & Savannah Daniel. Son of Sophia & Romulus Hurley. His last Daniel-Jay Reunion was in 2016. As the oldest surviving family member he accepted a proclamation recognizing the Daniel-Jay Family on our behalf from the Mayor of Johnston, SC.
Firpo graduated from the School of Veterinary Medicine at Tuskegee Institute, now Tuskegee University in 1950.
While a student there a Congressman from S.C. remarked that only white boys were veterinarians in S.C. So Firpo decided to go to Kansas instead since he was told that he would not be welcome there. As he was preparing to start a practice in Harper, Kansas, a Wheat farming town 50 miles west of Wichita, the Mayor came to him and told him not to stay in this town. He told him that 25 years ago a colored man named “Nigger Bill” was run out of town and there had not been a colored person in this town since. He also said that an ordinance was passed that prohibited colored people from residing in the town. In spite of the warning, Firpo stayed and built a successful practice.
Firpo became involved in many civic affairs. He joined the Chamber of Commerce and the Lions Club, which was featured in Jet Magazine. He also joined the Presbyterian Church and became both an Elder and Trustee. He was the guest speaker for many organizations, high schools, and colleges.
Not being allowed to vote in S.C., he was happy to vote for the first time in his life in Kansas.
Harper, Kansas was the home of John Brown, the white man that was hung in Harpers Ferry West Virginia for trying to free the Negroes. Firpo was asked to be Mayor of Harper but declined.
After 10 years in Kansas Firpo sold his practice and began working for the U.S.D.A. before opening the Hurley Dog and Cat Hospital in Detroit which is still in operation under new owners.
While in Detroit he cared for the pets of many celebrities, including Barry Gordy, Dianna Ross, other Motown stars, governors, and senators. He had an opportunity to shake hands with President Lyndon Johnson. Firpo was also featured on several television and radio shows.
After 30 years, he sold his Hospital and moved to Oviedo, Florida. Firpo served as a consultant for The Institutional Animal Laboratory Use Committee at The University of Central Florida. He counseled young people who aspired to become a veterinarian.
Firpo was married to the late Celeste Daugherty. He is survived by their son Steven Leonard of lives in Greensboro N.C., a Professor of Animal Science at North Carolina A&T University.
This memorial is based on an article written by his niece Marily Malloy and appeared in our 2010 Daniel-Jay Reunion booklet.
Grandson of Lawrence & Savannah Daniel. Son of Sophia & Romulus Hurley. His last Daniel-Jay Reunion was in 2016. As the oldest surviving family member he accepted a proclamation recognizing the Daniel-Jay Family on our behalf from the Mayor of Johnston, SC.
Firpo graduated from the School of Veterinary Medicine at Tuskegee Institute, now Tuskegee University in 1950.
While a student there a Congressman from S.C. remarked that only white boys were veterinarians in S.C. So Firpo decided to go to Kansas instead since he was told that he would not be welcome there. As he was preparing to start a practice in Harper, Kansas, a Wheat farming town 50 miles west of Wichita, the Mayor came to him and told him not to stay in this town. He told him that 25 years ago a colored man named “Nigger Bill” was run out of town and there had not been a colored person in this town since. He also said that an ordinance was passed that prohibited colored people from residing in the town. In spite of the warning, Firpo stayed and built a successful practice.
Firpo became involved in many civic affairs. He joined the Chamber of Commerce and the Lions Club, which was featured in Jet Magazine. He also joined the Presbyterian Church and became both an Elder and Trustee. He was the guest speaker for many organizations, high schools, and colleges.
Not being allowed to vote in S.C., he was happy to vote for the first time in his life in Kansas.
Harper, Kansas was the home of John Brown, the white man that was hung in Harpers Ferry West Virginia for trying to free the Negroes. Firpo was asked to be Mayor of Harper but declined.
After 10 years in Kansas Firpo sold his practice and began working for the U.S.D.A. before opening the Hurley Dog and Cat Hospital in Detroit which is still in operation under new owners.
While in Detroit he cared for the pets of many celebrities, including Barry Gordy, Dianna Ross, other Motown stars, governors, and senators. He had an opportunity to shake hands with President Lyndon Johnson. Firpo was also featured on several television and radio shows.
After 30 years, he sold his Hospital and moved to Oviedo, Florida. Firpo served as a consultant for The Institutional Animal Laboratory Use Committee at The University of Central Florida. He counseled young people who aspired to become a veterinarian.
Firpo was married to the late Celeste Daugherty. He is survived by their son Steven Leonard of lives in Greensboro N.C., a Professor of Animal Science at North Carolina A&T University.
This memorial is based on an article written by his niece Marily Malloy and appeared in our 2010 Daniel-Jay Reunion booklet.
There are currently no tributes.
Lt. Col. Spann Watson
Birth Date:
1916-08-14
Deceased Date:
2020-04-15
Obituary:
Spann is remembered for his class and courage. He refused to obey segregation laws in the military so he helped change them.
Spann was one of the original Tuskegee Airman and a member of the famed 99th Fighter Squadron.
Spann’s picture hangs with other Airmen in the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC. He received a number of significant awards and recognitions. He was one of the Tuskegee Airman honored by President Bill Clinton at the White House in 1998. He was also a VIP attendee at the inauguration of President Barack Obama. His trip from his NJ home to the inaugural was filmed and reported on by the New York Times.
Spann developed an early interest in aviation. At the age of 9, he attended an air show and recognized one of the circling airplanes as Charles Lindberg’s Spirit of Saint Louis. The announcer laughed and didn’t believe him, but once the plane landed, little Spann was proven right. This helped fuel his passion for aviation and his desire to prove himself.
After a 23-year military career, Spann joined the Federal Aviation Administration as an equal opportunity specialist. He was responsible for more than 35 youngsters winning appointments to the three major service academies. He also helped hundreds of minorities gain employment, including 483 airline flight attendants and first-time pilots.
Spann was very involved with the family. He attended most of the family reunions and was always good-natured and shared lots of interesting stories.
He was buried in Arlington National Cemetery with full military honors on July 29, 2010.
https://youtu.be/DBZbduoklCk?si=JXQnGa3Q7coAZ5TM
Spann is remembered for his class and courage. He refused to obey segregation laws in the military so he helped change them.
Spann was one of the original Tuskegee Airman and a member of the famed 99th Fighter Squadron.
Spann’s picture hangs with other Airmen in the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC. He received a number of significant awards and recognitions. He was one of the Tuskegee Airman honored by President Bill Clinton at the White House in 1998. He was also a VIP attendee at the inauguration of President Barack Obama. His trip from his NJ home to the inaugural was filmed and reported on by the New York Times.
Spann developed an early interest in aviation. At the age of 9, he attended an air show and recognized one of the circling airplanes as Charles Lindberg’s Spirit of Saint Louis. The announcer laughed and didn’t believe him, but once the plane landed, little Spann was proven right. This helped fuel his passion for aviation and his desire to prove himself.
After a 23-year military career, Spann joined the Federal Aviation Administration as an equal opportunity specialist. He was responsible for more than 35 youngsters winning appointments to the three major service academies. He also helped hundreds of minorities gain employment, including 483 airline flight attendants and first-time pilots.
Spann was very involved with the family. He attended most of the family reunions and was always good-natured and shared lots of interesting stories.
He was buried in Arlington National Cemetery with full military honors on July 29, 2010.
https://youtu.be/DBZbduoklCk?si=JXQnGa3Q7coAZ5TM
There are currently no tributes.