Estine Davis

ESTINE DAVIS-AN ENDURING LEGACY OF COMMIMENT AND DEDICATION

Ms. Estine died peacefully on 10 November 2025 at the age 92. Ms. Estine Davis was born in Troy, Texas, on 5 December 1933 to Clark and Beulah Hill. Her family moved to El Paso when she was six years old. Ms. Estine attended the segregated Douglass Elementary and Douglas High School, which at the time was the only school Black children were to allowed attend in El Paso. At 18, Ms. Estine moved to Tyler, Texas to attend barber school, and after graduating returned to El Paso to cut hair on Fort Bliss, where she charged $1.50 per haircut. She started cutting hair on Fort Bliss, Texas, in 1952. During the fifties, female barbers was rare in El Paso. In 1959, she began working at the Square Deal Barbershop. In 1964, Ms. Estine went to work at Eastside Barbershop, which was owned by her godfather, Mr. Roscoe Marlin. By 1965, Mr. Marlin turned over the keys to her, and Estine Eastside Barbershop was born. This determined lady known as “Ms. Estine” to everyone cut hair for more than 62 years in the same location, 106 N Piedras Street.

She was one of the first Black Women to own and operate her own business in El Paso, Texas. She has styled the hair of a diverse group, from Harlem Globetrotters and entertainers like Little Richard and Earl Grant, to professional wrestlers, college athletes, countless soldiers including Army General Officers and everyday citizens who frequent the streets of Piedras and Alameda. Ms. Estine’s Eastside Barbershop has been a fixture in the history of El Paso and an anchor in the community for more than 71 years.

Upon entering her barbershop, visitors were greeted by a sense of history, especially highlighted by Estine’s renowned “Wall of Fame.” The “Wall of Fame” showcased the remarkable achievements of Black Americans from different age groups and professions, both locally and across the nation. There were many who worked hard to get their picture and achievements on the acclaimed “Wall.” Her ‘Wall” even displayed the 1966 National Basketball Championship-Texas Western College basketball players (now the University of Texas at El Paso, (UTEP). When members of the team entered the barbershop, they were rewarded with free haircuts.

Ms. Estine was an active member of Shiloh Baptist Church in El Paso for over 82 years. She supervised and mentored many young boys and girls as Director/Trainer of the Children’s Usher Board (ages 8-12) for over 65 years. She was also responsible for the Easter Parade each year where the young children modeled their Easter attire with their Easter baskets. Everyone looked forward to this event, which was always held at the El Paso National Bank, downtown. Ms. Davis was also a member of Mission Society #2.

Ms. Estine was the first Black to graduate from the Mannequin Manor Finishing and Modeling School Inc. in El Paso. She founded Estine’s Fashion Model Agency, which was the sole Black modeling company in the southwest for more than 30 years. She was the original founder, organizer, and sponsor of the annual Miss Black El Paso Southwest Scholarship Pageant.

As a dedicated community activist and organizer, Ms. Estine maintained an ongoing presence within El Paso's Black community by designing her inaugural float for the El Paso Thanksgiving Parade in 1982 and subsequently producing one each year thereafter. She was an active member of the NAACP, El Paso chapter. Ms. Davis co-founded the non-profit McCall Neighborhood Center, established in 1983. An adventurous and relentless worker, Ms. Estine (Trooper Davis) served as the President of the El Paso Chapter of the Ninth & Tenth (Horse) Cavalry Association, an Official Army Unit Association. The organization exists for the purpose of preserving the memory of the Buffalo Soldiers, and is a non-profit, educational, patriotic military service organization, which remains non-partisan and non-political.

Ms. Davis was included among a select group of distinguished and influential individuals in El Paso. For over 60 years, she worked with city, county, and statewide leadership on numerous transportation infrastructure, housing, commerce, and civil initiatives for South Central El Paso. A community that held a special place in her heart. There are numerous books, articles and formal essays written about Ms. Estine Davis and her accomplishments to include “Wheresoever My People Chance to Dwell” by Dr. Maceo C. Dailey and Borderzine “A Dream Fulfilled at Estine’s Eastside Barbershop After All These Years,” by Eddie Delgado, 29 April 2010. While small in stature, she was a fireball of energy and determination.

Ms. Estine was a charter member of ETA IOTA ZETA AMICAE of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority.

Following her retirement on 25 September 2022, Ms. Estine envisioned a renewed economic future for Eastside Central El Paso. This vision led to the establishment of the nonprofit organization, Eastside Central Coalition in January 2023, which aims to expand business opportunities within both government and commercial sectors in the Piedras-Alameda Central Corridor.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Clark, and Beulah Hill; sisters Viola, Arrebelle, Preve Leola, and Esther; brothers Clark Jr., Ezell, and Boston; and her son William Issac Davis, Jr.

She is survived by her son Micheal E. P. Davis (Denise); Sister-in-law, Amelia Hill Johnson; five grandchildren, Tracy, Tia, James, Marquies (Sara), and Antonio; five great-grandchildren, Jaida, Miles, Katrel, Atray and Reign; one great grandson Emmett; four nieces and three nephews, a host of other relatives and friends.

Ms. Estine lived a long and fulfilling life, demonstrating steadfast dedication to her community, city, children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nephews, and nieces. She will be treasured for her kind heart, trailblazing spirit, and her engaging personality, and she inspired those who knew her through her generosity and tireless work on civil causes. Her passing has profoundly impacted all who knew her. She will be greatly missed.

Ms. Estine Davis will lie in state at Mt. Zion Baptist Church, 3400 Wyoming Ave, El Paso, Texas 79903 on 4 December 2025 from 4 P.M. until services at 9:30 A.M.

Funeral Services Times

Visitation and Viewing Program – Condolences, Recognitions, and Tributes of Love

• Date: December 4, 2025
• Location: Mount Zion Baptist Church, 3400 Wyoming Ave, El Paso, TX 79903
• Time: 4:00 PM – 8:30 PM
• Celebration of Life Service: 6:00 PM – 8:30 PM
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Celebration of Life Service

• Date: December 5, 2025
• Location: Mount Zion Baptist Church, 3400 Wyoming Ave, El Paso, TX 79903
• Time: 9:30 AM
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Interment Rites

• Location: Cemetery: Restlawn Memorial Park, 4848 Alps Dr, El Paso, TX 79904
• Time: 12:30 PM

In lieu of flowers (which may be sent to Sunset Funeral Homes, 750 N. Carolina, El Paso, Texas 79915, donations can be sent to the Eastside Central Coalition (ECC) behalf of Ms. Estine Black Business Living Museum, ECC’s website;(https://www.eastsidecentralcoalition.org), 106 N. Piedras El Paso, Texas 79905.

Please send all resolutions, tributes and formal acknowledgements to sunsetfuneralhome@att.net by COB 3 December 2025.