Obituary of Minnie Beatrice Daniels

Legacy of Minnie B. Daniels

Minnie Daniels, affectionately known as Penny, Aunt Penny, Ma Penny, and Ma Daniels, was
born on March 27, 1931, the second child of six, born to James and Ellen Lewis in Furman
Alabama. She was preceded in death by her parents, brothers James Henry Lewis Jr., William
Lewis and husband the Late Reverend Nathaniel E. Daniels. Penny went home to be with the
Lord on July 2, 2019.
Penny completed her early childhood education at Snow Hill Institute in Pine Apple, Alabama.
She then went on to graduate from Good Samaritan Nursing School in 1951. In 1952, Minnie
married the love of her life, Nathaniel Daniels, who nicknamed her “SugarFoot”. That same
year, the couple moved to Harlem, New York, where she began her career as an LPN at Harlem
Hospital. In 1960, Penny relocated to East Elmhurst, New York, where she continued to raise
her family, nurture her career, and thrive in her community.
After dedicating over a decade to her nursing career, Penny and Nathaniel embarked on a
entrepreneurial venture. Penny and Nathaniel owned and operated one of the first African
American businesses in the East Elmhurst Community, Sparklin Cleaners and Laundromat. This
establishment served the neighborhood, and also established commercial relationships with the
Mets, the Yankees, and Airlines at JFK and LaGuardia Airports. This business remained in the
community for more than 40 years!
Penny was a member of the First Baptist Church of East Elmhurst for many years, As a result of
running the business for 6 days a week, most Sundays were her only personal time. She could
be found having church with Rev. Ike on the dial, while dinner was on the stove and she
cleaned her house.
After retiring in 2009, Penny enjoyed nothing more than spending time with her family, traveling,
and tending to her beautiful vegetable and flower gardens. Penny also loved to organize family
soirees, where she cooked all of her specialties, such as sweet potato pie, peaches and
biscuits, fried chicken, tea cakes, fried corn, and salmon croquettes. She put her FOOT in every
dish she made!!! No one ever left her house hungry.
Penny leaves in her legacy her children, Brenda Daniels, Michael Daniels (Shirley), Nathaniel
Daniels (Rebecca), and Anthony Daniels (Marguerite); grandchildren, Richelieu Hemphill
(Kamili), LaTay Daniels, Ranique Spady, Wesley Brockenberry, Rakiya Spady, Nathaniel
Daniels, Jr. Teneil Daniels, Andrew Brockenberry, Cody Daniels, Anthony Daniels, Jr., Anaiya
Daniels and Amadi Daniels; great grandchildren, Ellington and Matisse Hemphill, Jayla
Brockenberry, Raelynn Jackson, Landyn Daniels, and soon to come, Robert Jackson Jr.; her
brothers, Leroy Lewis and Sister-in-Love, Texie Lewis, Reverend Lovell Lewis (Hattie) and sister
Clydia Pryce, Brother-in Laws, Reverend Willie Daniels, Reverend Carl and Mae Daniels, David
and Rhonda Daniels, Eugene Daniels, and Roosevelt Daniels, Sister-in Laws, Arlene Johnson,

Fanny McDaniel and Creacie Knight, and a host of nieces, nephews, and other relatives and
friends who love her and will miss her dearly.