December 27, 1925 – October 30, 2023

Elizabeth City, NC – Gladys Toxey Daniels, age 97, died peacefully on Monday, October 30, 2023. She was born in Weeksville, NC on December 27, 1925 to the union of Gaither Sears Toxey and Elizabeth Wilson Toxey.

Gladys loved playing Bridge and was a member of many different clubs. She greatly enjoyed traveling the country and the globe with her husband.

A member of several groups and organizations, such as First United Methodist Church (where she was a former altar guild member and taught the young children’s Sunday School Class for many years), Friends of the Museum of the Albemarle, former member of the Elizabeth City Women’s Club, the Sir Walter Cabinet for legislators and spouses (current and former), and The Roanoke Island Historical Association (which includes The Lost Colony), Gladys was also a big supporter of Campbell University (where she and her husband started the Gladys T. and Melvin R. Daniels scholarship) and North Carolina State University.

Gladys was predeceased by her parents, her husband, former State Senator Melvin R. Daniels Jr., and her three brothers, Clark Toxey, Julian R. Toxey Sr., and Maurice “Pete” Toxey.

She is survived by her three children, Melvin Roy Daniels III (Joan) of Weeksville, NC, Donna D. Sawyer of Wake Forest, and Dianne Daniels-Cole (David) of Kitty Hawk. She was so proud of her seven grandchildren, M. Roy Daniels IV (Morgan) of Weeksville, John Kane Daniels of Weeksville, Ashley S. Eron (Timur) of New York, NY, W. James Sawyer Jr. of Wake Forest, Caroline Grant of Hickory, William D. Grant of Kitty Hawk, and Andrew J. Grant of Kitty Hawk. She enjoyed two special great-grandchildren, Harlyn Elizabeth Daniels and Melvin R. “Vin” Daniels, V of Weeksville. She also had many cousins, special friends, and wonderful neighbors.

Her family is very grateful to her care givers at her home over the past ten years. They include Carolyn Russell, Sandy James, Frances Forbes, Deb Willadson, Joyce Bateman, Amy Betts, Louise Brickhouse, and Daisy Riddick as well as the staff of the Currituck House for the love they showed our mother.

Funeral services were conducted at 11 a.m. on Friday, November 3, 2023 at Twiford Memorial Chapel with the Rev. Jim Jones officiating. Immediately after the service, the family received friends in the lobby of the funeral home followed by burial at West Lawn Memorial Park Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to First United Methodist Church, 201 South Road Street, Elizabeth City, NC 27909, or First Flight Society, P. O. Box 1903, Kitty Hawk, NC 27949.

Twiford Funeral Homes, 405 E. Church Street, Elizabeth City, NC 27909 is serving the Daniels family.  Condolences and memories may be shared at www.TwifordFH.com.

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