Daniel Alan Smith

Danny was not only wanted, he was wished for. His father held a baby boy in his arms and said, “I’m going to have one of these this time next year.” George W. Smith became a father for the forth time on September 9, 1948. His wife of many years, Zelma, finally became the mother of a boy for the first time, having three sisters, 9, 10, and 14 years older than him.

Danny always said that he was being raised by four mothers. His oldest sister, Lolly, was very grown by the time he came along, but he remembered having so much fun tagging along with her. Basically, his second sister, Bert, became his at-home mother, because his mother worked full-time at the local diner at the Central restaurant. The youngest sister, Ginger, who had been the baby of the family, had to give up her title as “little princess” when Danny became the crown prince of the clan. Zelma became the matriarch of a beautiful family, while her husband doted on her and treated her like a queen.

Danny grew up in Newport News. He went to several high schools, back-and-forth between Warwick High school and Kecoughtan High. His sisters grew up and started families of their own, and once he had finished high school, he went to Chicago to study art at the Ray Vogue Art Institute. He became quite proficient in fashion illustration, however, the fashion industry changed just as he was getting out of school in 1968. While he chose not to make commercial illustration his vocation, he used his education and talent as an artist extensively in his hair design career. Danny had already learned how to do hair secretly while in high school, starting his hair styling career at the age of 17. Initially, it was just a way for him to pay for art school, but after art school, he decided to return to his roots and start his career as a hairdresser full time.

During the early 70s, the Disco scene was quite popular, and on the dance floor one night he met a young woman from England who would one day become his wife and the mother of his daughter, Rae Ann. Janet was the perfect fit. With her head for business and his talent with hair, they created a beautiful salon that let them both become exceptional participants in the Cosmetology industry. Danny became a nationally known and recognized Design Team Director and Janet became one of the super talented, members of his team. In 1976, they took the plunge and opened Danny’s Hair Loft, Inc. building it into a thriving full-service salon, employing seven hair stylists, two nail technicians, an esthetician, two assistants, and a receptionist.

In 1988, sadly, Janet and Danny divorced, but Danny continued the salon with his new partner, Chip. Rae Ann became a loving support to both of her parents, and to her father’s new partner as the journey continued. After retiring, 25 years later, Danny established himself as an artist, even performing a one-man show at the Ferguson Center. Danny’s Hair Loft continued to thrive under its new name, D. Alan’s Color Splash. In 2015, Chip and Danny married, and continued to enjoy love, laughter, and life on his own terms.

Danny died September 14, 2021 surrounded by close family and a few close friends.

He is survived by his husband, Chip; daughter, Rae Ann; sisters, Lolly and Bert; and Rae Ann’s mother, Janet.