(Thelma) Claire Norwood French was born on January 22, 1934 in Omaha, Nebraska and passed away on January 13, 2021, surrounded by her loving family. She was preceded in death by her husband, Delmon Bryan French, her parents, Patrick Henry and Mary Belle Fling Norwood, and one brother, Frank Victor Norwood.
Survivors include four children, David Bryan French of Arlington, Marilyn Deann French and special friend, Walter Gavin, of Austin, Bradley Dale French and special friend, Sonya Truan, of San Marcos, and Debra Claire French and husband Travis Adams of Elgin, one brother, David Fling Norwood and wife Betsy of The Hills, TX, sisters and-in-law Viola Mae (Bootsy) Norwood of Abilene, Louise French Baker of Canyon. Also surviving are special friend, Earl Laws, and the Grainger family of San Marcos.
Claire attended San Marcos High School. She loved music, playing in the band and singing in the choir. She was the first person from San Marcos to be selected to the all-state band where she won a solo clarinet chair seat. She accompanied many soloists and groups and played the organ at the First Christian Church for nine years. She was a member of the National Honor Society and of Who’s Who in American Schools and Colleges. The order of Rainbow for Girls was organized and Claire was selected to be the first Worthy Advisor She even got to travel and to perform with the Texas State Bobcat band because they had no oboe player. She graduated as Valedictorian from San Marcos High.
College at what is now Texas State was exciting, as Claire continued with her love of music by playing in the band and orchestra, singing in the choir and chorus, plus continuing to play the organ at First Christian Church and working at the telephone company as an operator. She was involved in several organizations, holding office in most of them. These included Alpha Muse, Alpha Chi, Kappa Delta Phi, Student Religious Society, and off campus the Beta Sigma Phi organization. She was a galliardian nominee and was selected for membership into Who’s Who in American Colleges and Universities. Finishing her work toward a B.S. degree at age 18, she began teaching in Temple, TX.
Claire’s teaching career was 35 years long. After Del graduated from college, he and Claire moved to Brownwood, and they moved several other times during their 54-year marriage. She taught in school in San Marcos, Brownwood, Russellville, AR, San Angelo, and Austin. During their time in Brownwood, three beautiful infants joined their family, with the fourth infant came along when they were living in Dallas. She received many praises while teaching. She was active in Classroom Teachers. TSTA, NEA,and numerous PTAs, often holding an office in them. She was a member of the State Textbook Committee.
While teaching in San Angelo, the opportunity arrived for her to work toward a PhD. She did that work in an amazingly short time and received her PhD. She also achieved recognition by being inducted into Phi Kappa Phi honor society.
When Del reached retirement age, Claire took an early retirement so they could travel. They visited all fifty states and more than thirty foreign countries. Then they settled down in the home on Lake LBJ. Before long, Claire got bored and wished for the challenge of some type of work. The position which she took was with the Treasury Department in the Criminal Investigation unit. This was new, different and exciting. She drove back and forth daily from Lake LBJ to Austin. Unfortunately, Del had some health issues which caused her to retire from a paying job. Before leaving this job, however, they had moved back to San Marcos into the home which Pat and Mary Belle had built. They were able to rejoin the church in which Claire had been raised.
Claire served as Elder, Board member (Secretary for five years), and served on various committees as member and/or officer, such as the Personnel, Worship, Membership. She also played handbells and sang in the choir. She crocheted afghans to be given to people who were ill or hurt.
She was an active member of the San Marcos Association of Retired Teachers, and of Delta Kappa Gamma, an honorary teacher’s organization.
Graveside Services will be held Saturday, March 13, 2021, 11:00AM at the San Marcos City Cemetery. Arrangements under the direction of Pennington Funeral Home, 323 N. Comanche, San Marcos, TX 78666. (512) 353-4311, www.penningtonfuneralhome.com
