Carl Ellis Daniels

Carl Ellis Daniels was born on June 8, 1943 in the Manchester community of Arkadelphia to the union of Cody and Lucy Davis Daniels. He was a life-long member of Piney Grove African Methodist Episcopal Church and a 1960 graduate of Peake High School. After high school he attended Henderson State University.

In 1965 Rev. A.W. Terry led Carl and a small group of individuals from Arkadelphia to the march from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama in a crowd that included Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Carl was a first-hand witness to the Civil Rights Movement. He returned home and engaged his community in the civil rights efforts. Carl attended Tyler Baber College of North Little Rock and earned his cosmetology license. He was a former mason of Excelsior No. 13.

Carl married Pamela “Pam” Campbell and to this union three beautiful daughters were born, Leslie, Karla and Cecily. Carl worked hard to be a great provider for his family. Although their marriage would end, they remained close friends and loving parents.

His first shop was in the neighborhood next to Williams Funeral Home, at the corner of Caddo and Austin Street bought in 1965 and opened on its first morning with $30 he borrowed to get the place going. He eventually moved downtown Arkadelphia on 7th street. Some friends gave him the nickname “Crow” and the shop took on the name, “Crow’s Barbershop.”

Crow knew everything that was going on in and around Arkadelphia. If one needed a fun-loving environment along with a haircut, go to Crow’s. If one wanted to know the latest gossip, go to Crow’s and eventually it was the topic of discussion. The barber business was just part of Crow’s story. He loved to take care of his cattle and the family property in Manchester. He was a dedicated and life-long member of Piney Grove AME Church where he served as an usher, steward, a member of the choir and the Sons of Allen.

He drove the school bus for several years in Arkadelphia and used that opportunity to mentor, chastise, encourage and be a surrogate father to many. Crow touched many lives of the young boys and girls who crossed his path. He was barber and friend to many Henderson and Ouachita students.

Many loving friends and relatives called him “Luke” or “Uncle Luke”. He often gave “free” haircuts to many young men and boys who couldn’t afford one. At Crow’s the conversations were engaging, the jokes were hilarious and his stories were great. He was always a gentleman whose smile and laugh engaged you whether you were part of the story or not.

Carl Ellis Daniels was a treasure, for sure. He transitioned to his heavenly address Monday, January 21, 2019 at age 75 after a brief illness. He leaves behind generations of people in Arkadelphia and the “across the river” communities who somehow, someway, wandered into his shop for a trim, cut, a good laugh or a game of pool.

He was preceded in death by his parents (Codie and Lucy Davis Daniels), a sister, Ruby Daniels and two brothers, Cody “Sonny” Daniels and Charles “Chuck” Daniels.

He leaves to mourn him three daughters, Leslie Daniels of Atlanta, GA; Karla Daniels Hooper (Jacques) of Atlanta, GA and Cecily Daniels Crawford of Arkadelphia; one son, Reginald Jackson of Chicago, IL; eight grandchildren; three sisters, Margaret Good of Wichita, KS, Fleecie Daniels of Los Angeles, CA and Irma J. Garland of Arkadelphia, AR. He also leaves a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, “bonus” children whom he encouraged and supported; innumerable friends; his closest friends, Rev. Llewellyn E. Terry, Sr., Rev. Charles Thomas, Robert “Duke” Ussery, Joe Ed Bullock and Rosboro Hendrix.

Public visitation will be from 1:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. at Williams Funeral Home. A celebration of his life will be shared at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 26, 2019 at St. Paul AME Church with Rev. C. O. Dansby, eulogist. Interment will be at Piney Grove Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Jerrell Yarber, Brian Browning, Leon Daniels, Chris Daniels, Shelton Davis, and Darrell Davis. Honorary pallbearers will be Roosevelt “Chuck” Davis, Kenneth Jones, Joe Johnson, Donnie Yarber, Ronnie Yarber, Freeman Jones, Michael Jones, Herman Jones, Deacon Clarence Goshen, Rosboro Hendrix, and Charles Newborn.