Pioneering Barber Estine Davis Passes Away at 92, Honored for Community Impact

Estine Davis, a trailblazing businesswoman and owner of Estine's Barbershop in El Paso, Texas, passed away on November 10, 2025, at the age of 92. Davis had owned and operated her barbershop for nearly 60 years, serving as a gathering spot for the city's Black community.

Born in 1932 in Pendelton, Texas, Davis moved to El Paso at the age of 6 after her mother's passing. She graduated from the segregated Douglass School and later attended barber college in Tyler, Texas, before returning to El Paso and taking over her godfather's barbershop in the 1960s.

In June 2021, Davis was presented with a commendation from the Texas House of Representatives "for her contributions to the community." Her son, Michael Davis, a retired military colonel, praised his mother's decades of service, noting that she had helped countless individuals and organizations over the years, including the Miss Black El Paso Pageant and the McCall Neighborhood Center.

Despite her many accomplishments, Davis remained humble, stating that the recognition "doesn't mean a lot" to her and that her "time has passed." However, her son and others in the community recognized the significance of her achievements, especially as a Black woman business owner in the early 1960s.

Estine's Barbershop, with its vintage decor and loyal clientele, had weathered many storms, including the COVID-19 pandemic. Davis had continued to work tirelessly, cutting hair from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays, even on Juneteenth, the newly established national holiday. Her dedication and commitment to her community will be deeply missed.