AV Daniel

AV Daniel, 75, of East Brainerd went home to be with His Lord and Savior on February 18, 2021.

For me to live is Christ and to die is gain. Philippians 1:21

Alunilkunnathil Varghese (A.V.) Daniel was born in Valakuzhy, Thelliyoor, Tiruvalla, Kerala, India on January 10, 1946 to Varghese & Aleyamma Daniel. He had one sister and five brothers: Mariamma John, A.D. Varghese, A.V. Abraham, A.V. Mathai, A.V. Philipose and A.V. George.

When he was a young man, he journeyed to Rourkela, Orissa to work at the Rourkela Steel plant for a better life. In Rourkela, he accepted Christ, was born again, baptized and filled with the spirit. On December 3, 1970 he married Mariamma, a surgical nurse at Ispat Hospital in Rourkela. They became active members of the Rourkela Church of God. While in Orissa, he was blessed with two children: Biju & Biji.

AV came to Chattanooga in 1976 with just eight dollars and joined his wife who had come the previous year. They were members of East Chattanooga Church of God and later helped form Tyner Church of God, which was the first Malayalee Pentecostal fellowship in Chattanooga. He worked multiple jobs and studied at Chattanooga State technical school and got a diploma just two years after he arrived in the United States. He and his wife Mariamma were blessed in 1979 with their third child Betsy.

In 1982, he and Mariamma launched their first business together: AVM Enterprises. He began from his garage and a yellow Datsun truck. He worked hard selling water filter systems, sarees, towels, soaps and fiber-optic plants.

Many of the relationships that they made in those early years are still our best and loyal friends today. He worked hard and gave generously, and God blessed his efforts and expanded the business. He called everyone "Bhai (brother)" or "Behen (sister)". He loved to sell and had a gift in selling. His entrepreneurial spirit and passion to interact with the Indian community led him to establish a business, A.V.M. Enterprises, Inc., a nationwide hospitality and janitorial distributorship, that has touched the lives of so many people and will be his legacy forever.

He had a heart for missions and helping servants of God. He supported many ministries and causes including the Gideon's International, Christian Blind Mission, Community Kitchen, Chattanooga Food bank, Chattanooga Autism Center, Spirit Horse Ranch for Children with special needs, and orphanages in India. He was an early pioneer in the formation of NACOG. He helped plant churches in India and supported anyone who asked.

He also helped to grow the Indian community in Chattanooga. He gave up his time and resources to help families move here, and gave jobs to many. He loved the Indian community here and shared his faith with anyone who would listen. His zeal and enthusiasm for life was contagious.

He loved his wife, children and grandchildren deeply. He loved us, disciplined us, and encouraged us to serve Christ through our lives. He would rejoice when his grandchildren would recite scriptures, sing in church and do well in studies. His favorite Bible portion was Psalm 91. He wanted all his children and grandchildren to memorize and recite it.

In April 2020, the tornado destroyed his house but he did not give up. He kept going and proceeded to rebuild.

Until his heavenly departure on February 18, 2021, our dad was a very strong man. During his last few days, he had a vision of being taken up into Heaven. He is now in the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ, whom he loved and served with all his heart and strength.

Dad, we will love you always. We know that you are now beyond all pain and suffering. Rest in peace, we will see you soon.

Love you always,

Mariamma Daniel; Biju, Nisha, Shrayen & Suhani Daniel; Biji, Joy, Hannah & Joseph Abraham; Betsy, Shibu & Noah Samuel

You may send condolences to the Daniel Family to www.heritagechattanooga.com

The family will have a Viewing and Memorial Service on Friday, February 26, 2021 from 5:00pm until 8:00 pm at City Church Chattanooga.

A Homegoing Service will be held Saturday, February 27, 2021 from 10:00 am until 11:30 am at City Church Chattanooga, 7122 Lee Highway.  Burial will follow at Lakewood Memory Gardens, East, 4621 Shallowford Rd.

Arrangements are being handled by Heritage Funeral Home, 7454 E. Brainerd Road.

You may view the memorial service livestream at www.provisiontv.in

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in honor of AV Daniel to The Gideon's International at www.gideons.org/donate