Obituary of Karen Sue McDaniel Workman Corey

Karen Sue McDaniel Workman Corey, 69, of Lexington, SC passed away on February 22, 2023 at the home of her daughter, Meghan Elizabeth Workman Field and family, 132 Middlebrook Drive in Lexington, SC, with whom she had resided since her diagnosis with Early-Onset Alzheimer’s Disease in 2019. She passed on peacefully surrounded by loved ones.

Karen was born June 9,1953 in Rock Hill, SC to her loving parents, Robert Sidney McDaniel, Sr. and Wylna Blanche Brock McDaniel, who she shared with two brothers, Robert Sidney McDaniel, Jr. (Fay) of Boiling Springs, PA and Leslie Hoyle McDaniel (Pam) of Savannah, GA and a sister, Lisa Anne McDaniel Brown Meadows (Scott) of Mount Airy, NC. A graduate of Oxon Hill High School in Oxon Hill, MD, Karen went on to receive a degree in Home Economics from Winthrop College in Rock Hill, SC. After college, she married her first husband, Robert Leon Workman, Jr of Rock Hill, SC and began her career in Public Health as a Nutritionist. Together they relocated to Lexington, SC with their daughter Meghan and later welcomed their son, David. Karen met her second husband, Norman Earl Corey of Lexington, SC, at Lexington United Methodist Church where they later married. During her career, she worked as a Nutritionist in the WIC Program at the Richland and Lexington County Health Departments and later as the Breastfeeding Coordinator for the State of South Carolina. After her service in Public Health, her passion for educating others led her to Providence Hospital in Columbia, SC and then later to Lexington Medical Center in West Columbia, SC.

Karen was a devoted daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, and friend to many. She was preceded in death by her parents, Robert and Wylna McDaniel, and husbands, Robert Workman and Norman Corey, son-in-law, Jonathan Field, and granddaughter, Peyton Layne Workman. She is survived in death by her daughter, Meghan Elizabeth Workman Field (Robert Broyles) of Lexington, SC, son, David Matthew Workman (Christie Reynolds Workman) of Lexington, SC, stepdaughter, Cheryl Corey Gayton (Freddie Gayton) of Taylorsville, GA and stepson, Norman Paul Corey (Cathy Rish Corey) of Lexington, SC. She is also survived by grandchildren, Hannah Grace Workman, Isabelle Soleil Field, Cora Elizabeth Beatrice Field, Sydney Madelyn Field, Corey Leon Workman, Carolee Penley Workman, Caylee Ray Workman, Amanda Gayton Stonebraker, Wil Gayton, and Cathlyn Corey Hammond and three great-grandchildren.

A Celebration of Life Memorial Service for Karen will be held on Saturday, March 4, 2023 at Lexington United Methodist Church, 309 East Main Street, Lexington, SC 29072. The family will receive visitors from 11:00 - 1:00 and the service will be held from 1:00 - 2:00. 

In lieu of flowers, the family prefers donations to be made in Karen’s honor to Mission of Lexington (216 Harmon Street, Lexington, SC 29072) or the South Carolina Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association (140 Stoneridge Drive, Suite 640, Columbia, SC 29210.

South Carolina Cremation Society is assisting the family. Family and friends may sign the online guest book by clicking on the “Tribute Wall” tab above.