Obituary of Claire Daniels Corbett

Claire Daniels Corbett, 86, of Lake City South Carolina passed away peacefully Monday, October 23rd 2023. Claire was born August 17th, 1937, in Lake City and is survived by her brothers Aubrey Daniels, James E. (Jamie) Daniels, Thomas Kent Daniels, and her sons, David Lawson Corbett Jr., and Christoper Daniels Corbett.  She was preceded in death by her parents, Aubrey Oliver Daniels and Carrie Belle (Hanna) Daniels, of Lake City and her ex-husband, David Lawson Corbett, of Buffalo, New York.  Claire had resumed her relationship with a college sweetheart, Dr. Charles Pak, of Dallas, Texas who was so important to her with his emotional and professional support in these last years as he helped her battle lung cancer.

Claire graduated from Furman University and received her master’s degree from the University of Chicago.  She taught at Wooster College, in Ohio, and at Texas Christian Junior College in Fort Worth, Texas.  Claire was an avid lover of music, literature, language, and history. She traveled the world with her husband and children, living in Missouri, Texas, Minnesota, and Belgium. She resided in St. Paul for many years before returning to Lake City for her retirement.  Claire played the piano, harpsichord, and organ both in churches and in her home. Her facility with the French language was indispensable to her family while in Belgium.

Although Claire traveled far and wide, she brought tales of her family and Lake City with her.  Anyone who met her soon learned of the rich history of her family and hometown. She and her brother Kent delved deep into the family history in the Pee Dee region of South Carolina, even traveling to Dublin, Ireland to research the Daniels and Hanna family origins.  Claire was interested in, and deeply knowledgeable of, many subjects.  Everyone wanted her on their Trivial Pursuit team.  If she knew you, she knew your family and your kin.  While a great conversationalist, she was an even better listener.  Her wit and her kindness were always appreciated.  Her passing is a great loss to her family and to her friends.