Henri A. Daniels

Henri A. Daniels
(February 10,1942 – December 15, 2025 )

Religious Service: Saturday December 18, 2025 , 10:30am Wake –11:00am Funeral, Douglas Memorial Community Church , 1325 Madison Avenue, Baltimore , Md

Henri Ann Daniels was born on February 10, 1942, in Everetts, North Carolina, to William Henry Daniels and Arzelia Keel. After the passing of her mother when Henri was just two years old, she was lovingly raised on land owned and farmed by her grandparents, James and Sedelia Keel. She grew up in a home filled with love, joy, and cherished memories that formed the foundation of her strength, resilience, and compassion.

At the age of ten, Henri moved to Baltimore at the encouragement of her sister, Della, who believed she would receive a better education and greater opportunities. Henri rose to that challenge and graduated in 1959 from Edmondson High School as a member of its first integrated class.

Following high school, Henri briefly relocated to Connecticut, where her father, stepmother, and siblings lived. Through hard work and determination, she saved enough money to begin her college journey. She started at Elizabeth City State University in North Carolina before transferring to her beloved alma mater, Morgan State University, where she graduated from the School of Social Work as a proud member of the Class of 1966. She later earned a Master of Social Work from Howard University in 1970 and completed several additional professional certificates. Henri valued education deeply and remained a lifelong learner.

She maintained strong ties to her Morgan State Class of 1966, the Morgan Women, and numerous alumni organizations affiliated with both Morgan and Howard Universities. It was during her college years that Henri developed her enduring passion for politics, community organizing, and advocacy. In 1965, she served as an intern on Capitol Hill for Congressman George H. Fallon of Maryland's 4th Congressional District. In 1972, she was a delegate to the National Black Political Convention in Gary, Indiana.

Henri dedicated her professional life to public service. She began her career as a staff assistant with the Welfare Rights Advisory Committee for Baltimore, later serving as a community organizer with the Park Circle Decentralized Office and as Director of the Community Leadership Information Service. She also worked as a health administrator for the Maryland State Department of Corrections. Henri spent most of her career serving through the Baltimore City Department of Social Services and the Maryland State Department of Correctional Education, retiring from both after years of faithful and impactful service.

In 1976, Henri purchased her forever home on Eutaw Place, where she became a devoted and beloved member of the Bolton Hill community. She was a constant presence at community meetings and worked alongside neighbors, dear friends, and adopted family to maintain her home and beautify the parks along Eutaw Place by planting ornamental grasses and flowers. Along with the Friends of the Lillie Carroll Jackson Museum, Henri worked tirelessly to help reopen the museum and preserve Baltimore's Civil Rights legacy.

Politics remained a lifelong passion. In 1983, Henri ran a successful campaign for the Baltimore City Council. Though not elected, she remained unwavering in her involvement in city and state politics, always advocating, organizing, and lending her voice where it mattered most.

Henri was a proud and faithful member of Douglas Memorial Community Church for approximately fifty years, where her commitment to faith, service, and community was deeply rooted.

Henri Ann Daniels passed away on December 15, 2025, after a year-long battle with cerebral amyloid angiopathy.

She was preceded in death by her brothers, Elverna Keel, Willie "Buck" Keel, Rudy Keele, and Stephen Daniels, and her beloved sisters Della Walker, Joyce Smith, and Audrey Pinnix.

Henri leaves to carry on her legacy her beloved daughter, Dr. Angela Watkins; her son-in-law, Jason Toliver; and her treasured granddaughters, Kamryn and Jordan Toliver, who were her pride and joy. Affectionately known as "Ann" to those closest to her, she also leaves her sister, Roslyn Daniels; brother-in-law, Vernon Brayboy; sister-in-law, Rosa Keele; Former Husband and lifelong friend, Vincent Watkins; brother-in-law, Bruce Watkins; twenty-one nieces and nephews, a host of great and great-great nieces and nephews, cousins, decades-long friendships, newer but deeply cherished friendships, and a wide circle of adopted family decades-long friendships.

Henri Ann Daniels was a gracious and accepting mentor who wanted everyone around her to succeed in their individual pursuits. She was determined, social, and vivacious-a true force of nature who lived life fully until her final moments. Always on the go, once Henri got moving, there was truly no stopping her show.

Interment: Woodlawn