EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — El Paso icon Estine Davis, and owner of a historic black-owned business, died on Monday night, Nov. 11, a friend of Davis announced in a statement.
The statement read “My friend, Ms. ‘Estine’ Davis, passed away at 9:49 p.m. tonight. She will be deeply missed by all who knew her, and her memory will remain in our hearts as we reflect on the kindness and warmth she shared throughout her life.”
Davis owned a barber shop for over 70 years in East El Paso, and she was one of the first black women to own and operate her own business in El Paso.
Her barber shop, Estine’s Eastside Barbershop, was located at the corner of Piedras and Alameda since 1960. The business closed its doors in September 2022.
Davis was also an active member of the Shiloh Baptist Church in El Paso for more than 70 years. She supervised and mentored many young boys and girls as the director/trainer of the children’s usher board for over 50 years.
Davis was also responsible for the Easter parade each year, where children would model their Easter attire with their Easter baskets.
“As a creative, adventurous, relentless worker, Ms. Estine left her footprint in several other places in the community. Estine was the first Black to graduate from the Mnnequin Manor Finishing and Modeling School, Inc. in El Paso. She used that experience and expertise to be the founder of the Estine’s Fashion Model Agency, which was the only Black modeling company in the southwest for over 30 plus years. She was the original founder, perennial organizer, and sponsor of the annual Miss Black El Paso Southwest Scholarship Pageant. She has been engaged in the NAACP and the Planned Parenthood Board of El Paso.”
Michael E. P. Davis
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