Eva Melma Daniels

Eva Melma Wright Daniels was born on December 12, 1935, in Woodbine, New Jersey to the late Walter Wright, Sr. and Nettie Wright. Eva was named after her mother's favorite aunt, Eva, and her mother's sister, Melma.

The family eventually moved to West Cape May, New Jersey, where she attended West Cape May Elementary School. Eva's interest in piano was sparked when hearing her mother play at church. Eva's mother taught Eva the fundamentals and later paid for private lessons. When Eva attended Cape May High School, she was a cheerleader and participated in volleyball, basketball, the marching band, and chorus. She excelled in all her classes and graduated with honors. Eva liked to tell the story of how her math teacher used her test papers to grade everyone else's work because her answers were always correct. After graduation, Eva moved to New York City and resided with her oldest sister, Willa Mae Majett, who encouraged her to enroll in the Brooklyn Conservatory of Music, from which she later received her music degree in piano in 1962 and her post graduate degree in piano in 1966. While living in New York, Eva enjoyed going to jazz clubs in Manhattan and hanging out with her best friend, Mary - all while living at the YWCA. Eva had several piano concerts at the well-known Carnegie Hall while teaching music at the Conservatory. It was during this time that she met her husband, Fred Daniels. When they had their first child, Chris and Eva decided to give up her music career to be a full-time Mom. Eva and Fred later had two other children, Kaylon, and Mikaya. Eva remained a homemaker until her marriage ended and she decided to pursue a career in real estate. She attended real estate school to learn the business and began working as a sales agent for Century 21. She was eager to learn everything she could about the industry. With dedication and hard work, she immersed herself in the business, determined to succeed. After two years of hands-on experience and completing the required transactions, she proudly passed the Real Estate Broker's state exam. With confidence and a vision for the future, she took a bold step and opened her own business-Eva Daniels Realty-a testament to her passion and perseverance. By the mid-eighties, she made history as the first African American real estate broker in the Fort Greene section of Brooklyn. In 1998, Eva's son, Chris and his wife, Kim, had Eva's first grandchild, Maiya Camille and in 2002, her second granddaughter, Kayla Simone. Eva was an awesome grandmother. She would always shop for clothes for her grandchildren. She was a happy and proud grandmother. It was during this time that Eva received the endearing nickname of "Eva Diva", because she was Diva, a very happy, confident and well-dressed person. That was Eva. Eva loved to travel, whether with her friends or family. She cherished family vacations, which took her to beautiful destinations across Europe, Asia, Latin America, and the Caribbean, as well as memorable trips to San Francisco, Atlantic City, and her hometown of Cape May. She also had a generous heart, always giving thoughtful gifts for birthdays and Christmas, making every celebration special, along with donating to various charitable organizations.

Eva is survived by her husband, Fred Daniels, children, Christopher Daniels, Kaylon Daniels, and Mikaya Daniels; grandchildren Maiya and Kayla Daniels; sisters, Marjorie DeJohnette and Vivian Lockett and preceded in death by sisters Willa Mae Majett, Corinne McDonald, Mary (Bunny) Simpson, Patricia Hicks and brothers Timothy Boatright, Peter Boatright, Alvin Boatright, Jesse Boatright, and Walter Wright, Jr.; and a host of nieces and nephews.

The Daniels Family want to give a huge thanks and continued blessings to the owners of Senior Helpers, Erik Drotleff and Crystal Eldridge, and their staff who cared for Eva during her final days, Greta Heeg, Ashley McKoy, Elizabeth Moore, Tamara Ann-Mayne, Tessa Sherill, Amanda Dillow, Angela Doster, Chantal Pinder and countless others.

Lastly, thanks to Visiting Angels who provided caregiver services to Eva when she first moved to Gastonia to live with her son, Chris, in March 2024.

The South Chapel of Greene Funeral Service is serving the Daniels family. Condolences may be shared online at: www.greenefuneral.com .