Celestine Daniels

Celestine Juliana Gathers was born on September 27, 1930 at Harlem Hospital in New York City. She was the oldest of two children born to Bertha Gathers. At ten months of age she was sent to South Carolina to be raised by family. While still young, she moved back to Harlem in New York City. She attended and graduated from Julia Richmond High School for Girls in New York City. She loved to dance and sing and on one occasion, she won first place during ‘Amateur Night’ at the Apollo Theater in New York! She also enjoyed observing butterflies, this coupled with her love of travel, particularly going to wide open spaces, no doubt fostered her hope in one day living away from the big city and moving to the Country. Later she met and married Irving Daniels Sr. They eventually moved to Queens, New York to raise their six children. During this time, her study of the Bible with Jehovah’s Witnesses profoundly affected her heart to the point that she symbolized her dedication by water baptism in February 1964. She was always studious and articulate and accepted nothing less from her six children. Her love of Jehovah and his written word was clearly seen and heard by those who knew her. Sister Daniels, had the unique way of starting a Bible Study with an entire household. For example, she would talk with one person creating what was then called a “back call”, and then before you knew it, the “entire household” was engaged in some form of Bible Study. Sister Daniels, also had the respect of all that knew her. One of her sons remembered a time when working with her in the “field ministry” or “field service" as it was called, when a woman who was old enough to be her mother addressed her as “Miss Daniels” he then asked his mother “how do you get people to address you like that”? Her response was, (in a matter-of-fact way) “I tell them from the very start, that my name is Mrs. Daniels or Miss Daniels” he then said to himself “WOW!” After a year or two of working in the public school system and of course being sent to college for additional education, Sister Daniels, discovered that her time was being wasted and thus redirected her energy to her “first love” – The Preaching of the Good news about God’s Kingdom. Hence, she decided to become a Regular Pioneer, a privilege in which she enjoyed for many years. In the early 1990’s Sister Daniels moved to Chicago, Illinois, where many got to know her and also benefited from her wisdom and experience. Sister Daniels laughter was infectious, especially when she starts ‘rolling’, you couldn't help but crack up too. Sister Daniels, was no “Pushover”. She was loving and caring, leaving behind an exemplary spiritual legacy of faithful service. Her deep sleep will be short, but for now she leaves to cherish her memories her daughters, Kathleen Roth-Bouton and Karen Daniels Smith; sons, Kenneth Daniels, Irving Daniels, Robert Daniels and Gary Daniels; three daughters-in-law, Vaneda, Louise and Jackie; one son-in-law, Harold Bouton; seven grandchildren; eleven great grandchildren; and a host of close friends and loved ones who she eagerly looks forward to seeing in the near future!

Tributes

Celestine Daniels

September 27, 1930 - October 11, 2016