Bobby Bren Daniels

          With joy for having had a great love, we announce the peaceful passing of Bobby Bren Daniels, age 87, on June 23, 2025.  Bobby was born on November 3, 1937 in Galivant’s Ferry, South Carolina, to Isla Rebecca Peavy and William Joseph Daniels.  

          Bobby loved growing up on a farm, living a barefoot life filled with a lot of work, a lot of fishing and a big, loving family. He survived a partial lungectomy as a baby, going on to play sports and eventually join the US Navy after high school graduation.  Due to a clerical error when he joined the Navy, Bobby’s birthday was moved to October 3, which we celebrated until he retired. He then demanded we celebrate his actual November birthdate, with a general acknowledgment with cake for his October date. Two birthdays was fitting for the man who loved a celebration!

          Bobby loved the travel the military offered him, serving 3 tours on the carrier USS Yorktown.  He never lost sight of the fact that without a station in Whidbey Island, Washington he would not have spotted Margaret Ann Forrest going into a grocery store in nearby Anacortes.  He proceeded to follow her in, bumping her with his cart until she was forced to finally acknowledge him.  That meeting led to a 50-year marriage, a profound example of love and commitment.  

          After four years in the Navy, Bobby and Margaret moved back to Galivant’s Ferry to begin a life in the south; a chance meeting with a Coast Guard recruiter at a gas station led to an 18 year career as a supply officer, with tours in Thailand during the Vietnam War, time in the Philippines,  most of Europe, Hawaii, the Bering Sea near Alaska, and stations in Georgia and Virginia.  Bobby completed his service as a drug and alcohol counselor a The Presidio in San Francisco, California.  Bobby marveled at his opportunities to see the world, and thoroughly enjoyed the chance to experience new cultures and learn different ways of life.  

          After retirement from the Coast Guard, Bobby moved the family to Florence, SC, and began working, briefly at Fiber Industries and then at First Baptist Church of Florence, where he made many friends and he and Margaret built their church family.  Bobby worked until he turned 62, then became very, very good at retirement.  He enjoyed his daily coffee club, fishing, some woodwork, being Grandpa, and general puttering.  After Margaret passed in 2009, he left Florence for Mount Pleasant to be closer to two daughters.  He lived for many years at Sandpiper Independent Living, where he was known for his walking for exercise and his love of the early-bird dinner hour.  He was content to live his last years at South Bay Assisted Living, continuing to walk and participate in exercise classes and activities, coffee on the porch at Kristen and Jay’s, and riding around for Kristen’s errands.  

          Bobby was predeceased by his parents; by four brothers:  Earl and his wife Patsy, Jack and his wife Emma, William “Buck”, and Phelix; and two sisters, Helen and her husband Hubert Squires, and Rebecca Ann.  He also deeply loved his in-laws, Johnny and Kathy Bell of Redmond, WA, who left his Earth before him.  Sadly, several nieces and a nephews also passed before Bobby.  We have great comfort knowing there is a joyful reunion in heaven.

          Bobby is survived by many who miss him; he adored his three daughters, Kristen and her husband Jay McDonald, and Tracey Nelson, all of Mount Pleasant, and Kim and her husband Harold Kelly of Pamplico, SC.  Bobby was so blessed by his grandchildren, Robert Stroup and his wife Sarah of Salado, TX, Bradley Stroup of Mint Hill, NC, Angel Nelson of Yelm, WA and Susanne McDonald of New York, NY.  He also had three great grandchildren he cherished, Maggie, Charlie and Emma Stroup.  He is also survived by two beloved sisters-in-law, Marie Daniels and Catherine Daniels, and some pretty special nieces and nephews.  We will all miss him terribly but are happy for his long life and confident in his abundant afterlife.

          The family is grateful for the loving care Bobby received.  There are too many names to name, but the 4th floor care team at South Bay is forever in our hearts, as well as Amedysis Hospice and special caregivers who all know who they are and that they are greatly appreciated.  

          Funeral service for Bobby will be held Wednesday, June 25, 2025, at Mt. Zion Baptist Church, 1883 South Pamplico Highway, Pamplico, SC at 1:00 pm, directed by Waters-Powell Funeral Home; burial will be private at a later date at the Florence National Cemetery, where Bobby will be laid to rest with his wife Margaret.  

          In lieu of flowers, the family asks that those so inclined make charitable donation to East Cooper Meals on Wheels, 2304 N Hwy 17, Mt Pleasant, SC 29466, in honor of Dad’s love of delivering meals with the Sandpiper Tuesday team.  But mostly, we ask that you love with joy and pride the way Bobby showed us.  Well done, good and faithful servant.

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