(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.
