Carol Lee Crawford Daniels Cheston was born on Tuesday, January 11, 1938 in Stokesdale, North Carolina to the late Forest Lee and Leon Chandler Crawford. So that her parents could make ends meet, she and her sister were raised during the younger years by their grandparents. She was the youngest of two children, with her sister Shirley Crawford King. Educated in Summerfield, NC, she graduated from the historic Laughlin School. She later attended North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University of Greensboro, where she majored in Physical Health Education and was a majorette with the marching band. During her time at A&T, she met and married Elwood Tuck Daniels, Sr. and they had a son together, Elwood Tuck Daniels, Jr. After Elwood Tuck Daniels, Sr. moved to New York, Carol stayed in NC, where she worked and raised her son. While still at A&T, she worked at Marriott’s Hot Shoppes. There she would meet many lifelong friends, including Ernestine Alston, Lucy #1 (the late Annie Francis Richmond) and Lucy #2 (Lula Sue Hall). It was also at Hot Shoppes where she met Joseph Joshua Cheston of Trenton, NC. They dated as students and later married. Joseph would later join the first class of Black fire fighters of the City of Greensboro, NC. To this union, a son, Patrick, was born. On January 20, 1967, an unfortunate fatal vehicle accident took the life of Joseph. Even after the sudden passing of her husband, she still stayed in touch with the Black fire fighter community. Until her passing on Saturday, November 12, 2022, Carol remained a proud Cheston for the remaining 55 years.

The foundation of her faith was at Oak Springs Baptist Church of Stokesdale, NC. During her younger years, she would participate in the seasonal and Christian Education activities. During her adult years, she would drive from Greensboro to Stokesdale to worship at church and enjoy a meal with her parents and family. While at Oak Springs, she succeeded her great uncle, the late John Chandler, as Usher Board President and took the Young Adult Choir on tour and television. It was not long before she would draft both sons to play musical instruments and direct the choir.

For many years, Carol worked in the then Greensboro City Schools as a baker in the cafeteria at Caesar Cone School. She later got promoted to cafeteria manager and then floating cafeteria manager for all city schools. During those times, she worked by day at the schools and at night at Cone Mills as a fabric inspector. Because of her tight neighborhood connections, the late Faye Dungee (a neighbor) asked if she knew of anyone who might be interested in working at the historic Bennett College for Women as a Resident Life Director. It is not clear if she told anyone about the position; but, she applied and started working at Bennett College in Resident Life, under the presidency of the late Dr. Isaac Miller. Carol would spend 32 years as Resident Life Director for all freshwomen. She was diligent in meeting staffing needs and often worked summer sessions. She organized of the Resident Halls Step Shows, which included step routines from all resident halls and participating sororities and ended in a dance. With the growing popularity, the shows helped fund scholarships for deserving students. Also, while at Bennett College, she traveled to other college campuses as a representative of Bennett College. Even after retirement in 2014, she kept up with the happenings and talked often with her good friend/play daughter, Odessa Olgesby.

She was diligent at being a caring and good neighbor. She was proud of the neighborhood and that “tan and chocolate” home “Joe Chest” bought. She always backed her cars into the driveway and kept a manicured yard, with mature magnolia trees and azaleas. During the school year, she would carpool with other parents to transport students safely between school, extracurricular activities and home. During times of bereavement, she would collect money door-to-door to fund family meals and floral sprays for the celebrations of life. When there was a need for a close playground, she and a few other parents petitioned the city and got the Bywood Park Playground approved with a full basketball court, rides, guided summer activities with field trips and free lunches. She was an honored member of the Household of Ruth # 683 and a member of the former 101 Club.

Working during the school year, Carol rarely took summers off. For many years, she was a foster parent during the summers. She would host family members, like Oita Cheston Coleman, for local work and interning positions. She would often invite family and friends over for cookouts and dancing, after moving the furniture. Otherwise during the summer, she “kept a bag” packed, traveling extensively with friends to Alaska, Mount Saint Helens, any Atlantic Island and to all the special occasions (graduations, weddings, etc.). She was particularly fond of traveling with her nieces, Deborah King and Angela Wall.

With a beautiful smile and a huge sense of humor, she would easily be the life of the gathering, whether it was a cruise with New Hope Baptist Church, a road trip to any away A&T football game, a family trip, attending family reunions or sponsoring gatherings for the extended family the day after Christmas. No one really knows how she found the time or money but, she never ran out of either one.

Between Stokesdale, Summerfield, Trenton and Bennett College, she could always tell how someone knew her by the name they called her. Folks from Stokesdale called her “Cal Lee.” Folks from Summerfield called her “Carrie.” Folks from Trenton called her “Josh-u-way’s wife.” Folks from Bennett College called her “Ms. C.”

She is predeceased by her husband, parents, sister and great granddaughter (Solenne Renee Santana).

Carol is survived by her sons (Elwood Daniels, Jr. and Patrick Cheston), daughters-in-love (Tannis Daniels and Lisa Cheston), four granddaughters (Nikki Walker, Patrika Larocque, DeVicka Santana and Jarissa Craft), three grandsons-in-love (Curtis Larocque, Joey Santana and Matt Craft), four great-grandchildren, brother-and sister-in-law (Johnnie and Sallie Cheston), sister-in-law (Vivian Cheston), special relatives (Reverend and Mrs. Walter and Shirley James), long-time friends (Joseph Hunter, Lula Hall and Ernestine Alston) and a host of nieces, nephews and extended family.

Funeral service will be held Friday, November 18, 2022 at 3:00 p.m. at Phillips Funeral Service Chapel. The family will receive friends at the chapel from 2:30 p.m.

Final arrangements are entrusted to Phillips Funeral Service, Inc.