Patty Elaine Daniel

Patty was born February 26, 1966, in Dunn, North Carolina and died March 8 in a car accident. She was 51. She loved people and animals, cooking for a gathering, gardening, and motorcycles. Mostly she loved her partner of 17 years, Alecia Grisaffe, their dogs Emmylou and Bitsy, her loving parents, and riding her Harley with her dear friends and fellow motorcycle club travelers, the Fat Bottom Girlz.

Patty was raised in North Carolina and Georgia, attended Liberty Bible College in Pensacola, Florida and received a degree in Social Work from UGA. Patty sided with the underdog in all her life's work, beginning with the Prisoner Legal Counseling Project in Athens, Georgia and as a volunteer working with domestic violence victims. But her passion, and her focus, was her work as an investigator for the men and one beloved woman of Georgia's death row and their families, for whom she fought tirelessly and ferociously for over twenty years. She investigated their cases with skilled persistence, and told the stories of their lives with respect and dignity. She gave them hope and friendship. Through her constant support, she also gave the families of some the strength to bear their loved one's death.

Patty had a thick sweet country twang and manner and could find common ground with anyone, regardless of background or circumstance. She could spin a yarn but she knew when to listen. Her interest was genuine and people responded to her. They confided in her the details of their lives and their stories, and she explained those details to show the larger truths behind her clients' lives. Patty was a realist who rarely lost hope and never grew cynical despite the grinding injustices she fought against so tirelessly. Her good humor was reliable. Her love was understated and overwhelming, and her thoughtfulness legendary. She was the most generous friend and wife, leaving small notes or gifts without expectation or sometimes reason. She was a high-volume cook, generating mounds of smoky brisket and pork feasts on a grill she commissioned from a chance encounter in her investigative travels. Grown men were known to have fought for her carrot cake. She loved creatures and adored birds and bird watching, stocking a network of backyard feeders so abundantly that entire flocks were known to have changed their migratory patterns.

Patty joined Fat Bottom Girlz, an informal women's motorcycle riding group, in July 2008 shortly after it was formed. She quickly became an organizer, leading some of the most memorable rides and adventures. Patty was blessed with an exceptionally accurate internal compass. Patty and Alecia opened their home for FBGz get-togethers and holiday parties helping to solidify the riding community. Patty's friendliness, compassion and joy of recruiting new riders made everyone feel welcome.

Patty is loved beyond measure and will be sorely missed by Alecia Grisaffe, her parents Floyd and Barbara Daniel, her extended family, her FBGz, her friends, colleagues and clients, and the countless people from diverse places and communities improbably brought together by her passion and compassion.

Beginning at 1:00 Sunday, March 12, the family will host an open house at Patty and Alecia's home in Stone Mountain.

A celebration of Patty's life will be held at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, April 29, with a reception to follow at Central Congregational United Church of Christ, 2676 Clairmont Road NE Atlanta 30329.

Feel free to leave the family your condolences via the guestbook provided.

Funeral Home:
A. S. Turner & Sons
2773 North Decatur Road
Decatur, GA
30033