Danny Francis D'Anella

Danny F. D’Anella, age 77, of Peachtree Corners, Georgia, passed away peacefully at his home on Monday, February 23, 2026. Born on August 20, 1948, in Biloxi, Mississippi, Danny was the son of Saverio “Dan” and Erna Weems D’Anella. He graduated from Biloxi High School in 1966 before attending the University of South Alabama, where he played baseball under Coach Eddie Stanky. While at USA, Danny earned both a Bachelor of Science degree and a Master’s in Education. He later attended Ole Miss Medical School, where he was honored to be a member of the school’s inaugural Physical Therapy graduating class in 1975. Danny devoted his professional life to caring for others as a physical therapist in Mobile, Alabama, and later in Atlanta, Georgia. His work reflected his steady compassion, patience, and desire to help people regain strength and independence. Outside of his profession, Danny had an eye for design and a passion for remodeling. He was always immersed in a project — improving his own home, helping his sons with theirs, or spending time in the garage restoring their Jeep and Land Cruiser. Even during his most difficult health challenges, he remained engaged, determined, and eager to lend a helping hand. Baseball was Danny’s lifelong love. A devoted Atlanta Braves fan, he rarely missed a game. Following in his father’s footsteps, he spent many years coaching youth baseball, finding great joy in mentoring young players. One of his proudest blessings was watching both of his sons play baseball at Spring Hill College in Mobile, Alabama. In recent years, he cherished the opportunity to watch his grandsons carry on that same love for the game in Milton, Georgia. Danny was preceded in death by his parents, Erna and Dan D’Anella; his mother-in-law and father-in-law, Audrey and Walter Wilkes of Biloxi, Mississippi; his brother-in-law, William Wilkes (Dolores) of Weimar, Texas; and his brother-in-law and sister-in-law, John and Wanda Huska, Jr. of Ocean Springs, Mississippi. He is survived by his devoted wife of 52 years, Audra Wilkes D’Anella; his brother-in-law, Wade Wilkes (Kathy) of Ocean Springs, Mississippi; his sons, Adam (Anne) of Milton, Georgia, and Chase (Amanda) of Fayetteville, Georgia; and his beloved grandchildren: Taylor (17), Hartman (14), Scarlett (9), Wilkes (7), and Shepherd (5). His legacy lives on through each of them. A private family viewing and rosary will be held at Northside Chapel in Crabapple, Georgia. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Danny’s memory to the Foundation for Sarcoidosis Research, the National Kidney Foundation, the American Heart Association, or The Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration.

Danny Francis D'Anella

August 20, 1948 - February 23, 2026