Beverly Lee (Claxton) Daugherty, 93, of Irvine, CA died at home on February 8 after many years of progressive physical and cognitive decline. Born January 5, 1933 in Memphis, TN, Beverly was the first child of Inez and William Claxton. Her family soon moved to Clinton, KY where she grew up with her brother Bill and sister Ann. Beverly was a loving mother and grandmother. She is survived by her daughters Denise Diener (Mark Engquist) and Laura Peterson (Duane II); grandsons Duane Peterson III (Jennifer Hill) and Cole Peterson (Klis Mangmaiwatthana); and great granddaughter Zoe Peterson. She was predeceased by her third husband, Donald Daugherty, in 2001.
A proud veteran, Beverly served with the US Marine Corps during the Korean War, from 1952-1955. As one of the few women enlisted in the USMC at the time, she fought hard to be taken seriously and was gratified to be accepted into the Atomic, Biological and Chemical Defense program. She was honored with a Good Conduct Medal and a National Defense Service Medal.
Beverly met her first husband, James Diener, a member of the US Navy, while both were stationed in Hawaii. They married in Kauai in 1955 and had daughter Denise in 1959.
With a Bachelors Degree in Education and a Masters Degree in Criminal Justice, Beverly pursued her Doctorate in Clinical Psychology and was employed by the Los Angeles County Probation Department for 37 years. In 1962 she married Thomas Rush and had daughter Laura two years later.
Beverly was an active member of the Women Marines Association of Orange County (Chapter CA-5) from the 1970s until 2015. She held the office of co-chaplain, until the chapter disbanded. Her daughters remember her standing at attention whenever the National Anthem was played and how she could recall the words to the Marine Corp Hymn long after most other memories had faded. In 2022 Beverly was recognized as the city of Irvine’s Veteran of the Year by California Assembly Member, Cottie Petrie-Norris (District 71).
Beverly was also a member of the Newport Beach Philanthropic Education Organization (P.E.O.) Chapter PB, a volunteer for the Orange County Drug and Alcohol Association, and a life-long churchgoer. She will be remembered as a vivacious, generous woman who loved to travel, talk on the phone and lend a helping hand to anyone who needed it.
A military burial ceremony will be held at Riverside National Cemetery on May 26, 2026 at 10:45am, with a gathering to follow at 2pm in Beverly’s home in Irvine.
Lorie’ Ignacio says:
I was one of the bless person to know about Mrs Daugherty, she was one of the incredible woman I ever known, I thank god for giving me the opportunity to be one of her caregiver during she needed help untill the end ,.. Mrs Daugherty was a blessing to a lot of people not only to her family she is an angel touches everyone heart .. Mrs Daugherty was magnetic woman that you can easily love her She is a very respective woman I know … everyone misses her but her love and our love to her will never fade .. I am forever greatful and luckiest woman on earth her love and respect was forever in my heart .. and I do love Mrs Beverly Daugherty so much .. thank you so much mama Beverly for all the love , laughed and joy that you share with us .. I know sometimes will see you again .. please fly high mama Beverly .. thank you so much to Daugherty family for allowing me to take care of the wonderful person on earth ..
Marilyn Rouse Abbey says:
Beverly is the last of my Kentucky cousins (Beverly – Billy – Ann) to whom I must give a final goodbye. My mother’s family was from Clinton in West Kentucky and will always evoke memories of happy childhood days. I kept up communication with my cousins for as long as possible, and really appreciate your telling me of Beverly’s death, Denise. Sending me Christmas cards in her name for so many years was truly a blessing. I wish I could be in CA for the memorial but please know I’ll be there in spirit.
RIP, Beverly. XXX Marilyn