Sherman Ulysses Daniels

Sherman U. Daniels Sr. was born on October 29, 1935, in Oak Ridge, Louisiana, to Charlie Daniels and Soloan Culpepper. He was the only son among four children. At an early age, he accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior.

As a young man in Louisiana, Sherman worked as a golf caddy, walking through white neighborhoods during a time of deep racial tension and danger. After the tragic loss of a close friend in a racially motivated act of violence, he made the courageous decision to leave Louisiana in search of safety and greater opportunity. Determined to build a better future, he joined the United States Navy in the late 1950s.

During his time in the Navy, Sherman traveled extensively, serving in Japan, China, Australia, and many other places around the world. His experiences broadened his perspective and helped shape the disciplined, steady man so many came to know. After completing his service, he settled in San Diego, California. However, desiring to be closer to family, he later moved to Los Angeles, California.

It was in Los Angeles that Sherman met and married Lois Flannagan. Lois brought five children into the union, Sherman brought one, and together they were blessed with two more children, creating a large and loving blended family.

Sherman dedicated 29 years of service to the Compton Unified School District. During that time, he also worked a second job at Fedco, demonstrating his strong work ethic and commitment to providing for his family.

After retirement, Sherman endured the heartbreaking loss of his youngest son, Sherman Daniels Jr., affectionately known as “Danny.” In an effort to stay active and ease his grief, he returned to work at Ralphs Grocery Company, where he faithfully worked for nine years before retiring permanently.

In his spare time, he enjoyed listening to blues music, playing the horses, and enjoying good food, especially ice cream. Sherman always had great stories to tell. He consistently offered thoughtful words of encouragement to those around him. He believed in restraint when it came to spending and didn’t see the point in complaining, though he was always open and honest about how he felt. And in the midst of the deep pain we collectively feel in his absence, he would likely remind us in his own way, “Well, it won’t do any good to complain.”

Sherman was called home to be with the Lord on January 26, 2026.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Lois Daniels; his son, Sherman Daniels Jr. “Danny”; his stepdaughter, Deborah Martinez; his mother, Soloan Culpepper; and his three sisters, Florene Steen, Bonnie Sanford, and Juanita Carter.

Sherman leaves to cherish his memory one daughter, Debra Vance; one son, Robert Daniels (Corey Daniels); four stepchildren, Delphine Williams (Lee Williams), Willie Jophryn (Colleen Jophryn), Richard Jophryn (Zanerrine Jophryn), and Pamela Avila (Larry Avila); along with a host of nieces, nephews, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, other relatives, and dear friends.