As a beautiful rainbow quietly swept the skyline and began its ascension on the afternoon of March 4, 2024, our family Matriarch, eighty-two-year-old Dr. Elnora D. Daniel, lost her battle with a prolonged illness at Riverside Regional Medical Center in Newport News, Virginia. In Oxford, North Carolina, her birthplace, the robin red breasts chirped and sang in celebration. She had begun her celestial rest to behold the beauty of the eternal and to reside in God's temple. Her earthly journey had ended, and a new spiritual life had begun.

The progeny of the abiding nuptials between the late Stephen and Cecelia Belle, Elnora D. Belle Daniel was born on November 19, 1941, in Oxford, North Carolina. During her early formative years, she attended the public schools of Granville County. At an early age, she joined the Oak Grove Baptist Church in Oxford, where she remained a member until her relocation to New York.  After graduating from high school, she attended North Carolina A&T State University, earning a Bachelor of Science degree, and she met the love of her life, Herman L. Daniel. They were married after Elnora's graduation and remained together for sixty-three, beautiful years. In subsequent years, she earned Master's and Doctoral degrees from Columbia University.

Elnora and Herman lived in New York initially and settled in Hampton, Virginia to raise a family after the birth of their son, Michael. Elnora and Herman were both members of First Baptist Church, King Street in Hampton, and she remained a member when Herman transferred to Gethsemane Baptist Church in Newport News, Virginia.

Elnora was a conversant and insightful administrator. She meticulously worked to improve the quality, proficiency and advancement of higher education, nursing, and healthcare. She was a visionary leader, outstanding nurse, extraordinary professor, outstanding mentor, and an unparalleled grant writer.

Dr. Daniel's professional career began at New York University Hospital. She moved to Hampton, VA, where she joined the faculty in the School of Nursing at Hampton University. She was appointed as Dean of the School of Nursing in 1980 and Dean of the Interdisciplinary Nursing Center for Health and Wellness in 1985. She was promoted to Vice President for Academic Affairs in 1991 and named Executive Vice President and Provost in 1995. She assumed the presidency of Chicago State University in 1998 and retired in 2008. As an expert grant writer and fundraiser, Dr. Daniel secured more than $1 billion dollars in external funds for Hampton University and Chicago State University. Following her retirement from Chicago State, she returned to Hampton University in 2009 to serve as Special Assistant to the President for Research.

In addition to her academic achievements, Dr. Daniel earned the rank of Colonel in the U. S. Army Reserve Nurse Corps. After being commissioned Captain in the Nurse Corps of the U. S. Air Force Reserve in 1972, she transferred to the Army Nurse Corps as a Major in 1979, Dr. Daniel served as Chief Nurse, 18th Field Hospital in Virginia until she was transferred to the 2076th U.S. Army Reserve School in Wilmington, Delaware to develop a satellite training school.

Dr. Daniel served on numerous educational, healthcare and museum boards and philanthropic foundations. She was the recipient of countless well-deserved recognitions and awards including Marquis Who's Who Top Educator, Miller Gallery of Greats, VA Veteran of the Day - December 25, 2020, and History Makers. In 1986, Dr. Daniel became the second African American appointed to the Virginia State Board of Nursing and its first African American President. She was invited to become a Fellow in the prestigious American Academy of Nursing (FAAN).

Prior to her illness, Elnora was an actively involved member of innumerable community organizations including, the Hampton Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., The Hampton (VA) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated, and Chi Eta Phi Nursing Sorority, Inc., the American Cancer Society, the NAACP, St. Jude, and the YWCA.

Elnora will be remembered for her unique style and master wordsmanship. She was a born teacher and mentor. She continued to mentor the nurses and physicians in the hospital as a patient to the very end. She was always a very compassionate person and would readily help when asked. Upon entering a room, she owned it, but she always made everyone feel special. She was lively, had a profound sense of humor and a very adventurous style.  She paid homage to her staff and to her students. She was loved by everyone. Her spirit of service and compassion will forever resonate within the Hampton Roads community that she loved and around the world.

Our deceased Mother, Grandmother, Aunt and Cousin was a phenomenal woman, strong and resilient. Her family was most important to her. She loved and cared for her only child, grandchildren, relatives, and friends with an undeniable and unconditional love.

Dr. Elnora Daniel loved life and lived it well. As the family Sage, she offered her advice freely and without reservation. The halls ring hollow now without her presence. She will be sorely missed.  Her enduring legacy will never be forgotten.

Elnora is preceded in death by her parents, Stephen and Cecelia Belle, her brother, James Belle, and her husband, Herman L. Daniel. She leaves to mourn: one devoted son, Michael D. Daniel (Kristen) of Ellicott City, MD; one surrogate daughter, Karen McAdoo, Hampton, VA; two nephews, James Belle (Frankie) of MD and Reginald Belle (Vonda); two loving sisters-in-love, Martha Johnson of Newport News, VA and Ruby Price (Robert) of Atlanta, GA; one loving brother-in-love, Ruben Daniel (Cynthia) of Hampton, VA; grandchildren, Emerson Paige Daniel, Michael Charles Daniel, Ellicott City, MD, Adrian Hawkins, Richmond, VA, and Tiffany Kitrell, Damascus MD; great-grandchildren, Taylor Kitrell, Kennedy Kitrell, and Dylan Kitrell, Damascus, MD, numerous cousins, and a host of other relatives and friends. These persons and many others whose lives Elnora has shaped with His touch will join in the Celebration of her Life.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made, in loving memory of our beloved family Matriarch, to the Dr. Elnora D. Daniel Leadership Award., Make check payable to Hampton University. To contribute, please send to Office of Advancement and External Engagement, 200 William R. Harvey way, Wigwam Building, Suite 114, Hampton, VA 23668-0099. Your support honors Dr. Daniel's legacy of empowering students through education. Thank you in advance for your generosity.

Family visitation will begin at 5:00 p.m. on Friday, March 22, 2024, at the Hampton University Memorial Church, 100 E. Queen Street, Hampton, Virginia, with an Omega Omega Service by the Hampton Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., followed by The Memorial Service for Links of The Links, Incorporated at 6:00 p.m. After completion, visitation will resume until 8:00 p.m.

A funeral service will be held 12 noon, Saturday, March 23, at the Hampton University Chapel with Rev. Dr. Jerome H. Barber., officiating.  Her body will lie in state at the chapel from 10AM to the time of the funeral. Interment will follow in Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.  O. H. Smith & Son Funeral Home is honored to serve the family.