Oklahoma City pastor found slain in Anadarko

[Peas In Their Pods]

On the morning she was killed, Daniels knew the only people attending that morning would be some friends from the metro area, but she made the 65-mile commute from her Oklahoma City home, just like she had every other Sunday for the past six years or so.

"I asked her one time, ‘Why do you go down there when you don’t have anybody coming some Sundays?’” Daniels’ mother Charlesetta Dunlap said.

"She told me that ‘When the Lord tells me not to go, I’ll stop.’”

The pastor’s guests arrived at the Christ Holy Sanctified Church on E First St. about 11:30 a.m. or so, Dunlap said.

Daniels’ vehicle was there, but her friends realized something might be wrong because the doors were locked and no one would answer them.

"They’re the ones who called the police,” she said.




Brown said investigators have no suspects and have not determined a motive.

Daniels was a graduate of Douglass High School in Oklahoma City and the University of Central Oklahoma in Edmond, a family member said.

She is survived by three sons, two daughters and her mother.

Brown said they do not believe the Sunday morning killing was related to the fire that destroyed two downtown Anadarko businesses early Saturday.

While the church did not have a regular congregation, Brown said, Daniels was there every Sunday in case people came to pray or hear a sermon.

"From the little bit I know about her, she was very dedicated to her calling,” Brown said.

Usually, Daniels’ car was the only vehicle parked at the church, said Mitchell Pendarvis, who lives next door.

The church overlooks an area that includes two vacant homes and an abandoned car wash. Nearby is an alley where men sometimes congregate and drink, Pendarvis said.

"They sit back there; some of them sleep there,” he said.

Anadarko usually has two or three killings a year, Brown said. About a month ago, a suspect was arrested in a beating death, she said.

Vic Bryan, owner of the nearby Linda’s Swap Shop, said he met Daniels when she came to his antique business to introduce herself. He recalled her as "a pleasant lady.


‘Can’t question God’
Dunlap said she has a lot of questions about what happened to her daughter and why. But she said her faith remains unshaken and she is trusting in her Lord that the answers will be provided.
"The one thing I believe is that this had to be the will of God,” the mother said. "She told me a long time ago that God would take care of her. She believed that and she went on that faith.

"I can’t question God,” Dunlap said. "He saw. He knew. And at any second, he could have stopped it. So I have to believe that something good will come out of this.”

Like any mother, Dunlap said she would like to see justice done, but she isn’t looking for Old Testament-style retribution.

"Whoever did this has a soul that needs saving,” she said.

"For them to do something this vicious — they need God in their lives.”

Dunlap said people keep telling her they cannot believe that such a brutal act of violence occurred within the walls of a church.

"We feel like we’re safe in the church,” Dunlap said. "I know Carol felt like she was safe. This just goes to show that we are not safe anywhere. But we have to keep trusting God. We can’t give up on Him because something like this happens.”

CONTRIBUTING:

JOHNNY JOHNSON AND AARON CRESPO, STAFF WRITERS

[Evangelist Annette Chesson]

Wow her living isn't in vain because she is the epistle I just read of a faithful, loving and obedient Woman of God who just wanted to be available for the LORD to use. May her memory be forever remembered and cherished by all; May the LORD comfort her mother as she grieves in Jesus matchless name!

[Betty Dalton Brown]

My prayers go out to the family and community of this loving woman.

[Jordaniel]

God Bless and keep her family.

[ROSEMERRY]

WOW OH JESUS,I WILL BE PRAYING FOR THIS FAMILY CAUSE I KNOW HOW IT FEELS TO LOSE A MOTHER BUT SHE IS IN THE LORD'S HAND AND GOD WILL TAKE CARE OF THIS.MAY GOD BLESS YOU ALWAYS

[Overseer Marie Nixon]

My Lord, what a tragedy. I will pray earnestly for this family and those who were involve that they confess and turn themselves in.