Mrs. Maxine Loreat (Harris) Daniels was born to Elizabeth Wright Harris and Earl Preston Harris Sr. on October 27, 1926. As a middle child of four and the only daughter, she lived her life from one of two positions - as an older sibling or as one of the younger siblings, whichever position worked best for her. Regardless of the position, she always spoke her mind and owned the ground under the feet.

Having a school teacher for a mother, Maxine was exposed to many unique experiences. She learned how to read and write before entering kindergarten and took private piano and typing lessons as a child. These skills proved to be major assets throughout her life, as they gave her an advantage over her contemporaries. They also contributed to her graduating valedictorian of her high school class, at 15. Following graduation she immediately entered Prairie View University majoring in piano, with a minor in education.

While in college she enjoyed classwork and participating in college activities, as they were very rewarding. Her early love of music was further cultivated while at Prairie View, through her participation in the college choir all four years. She graduated in 1946 at age 19.

In 1947, Maxine was accepted into graduate school at Iowa University, where she met her to be husband, Thomas E. Daniels. They wed August 8, 1948. In their first year of marriage, Maxine worked as a Music Instructor at both Lane College in Jackson, Tennessee (19471948), and Tillotson College in Austin, Texas (1948).

Upon completion of those two years of work Thomas, Maxine, and their first child moved to New Jersey. One of her first jobs was as a mailroom clerk typist for the government, at Camp Evans.

Although she was employed there for a number of years her true passion was as an educator. She pursued teaching positions and was first hired as a substitute teacher for the first grade. She was then hired as a fulltime teacher in the Ridge Avenue School in Neptune, NJ and later as a guidance counselor at Neptune Junior High School.

In 1970, Maxine achieved the title as chairperson of the middle school guidance department at the new middle school in Asbury Park, where she was actively involved in careers and community (people) activities for close to 30 years, until retirement in 1986.

Maxine was committed to the advancement of all people and pursued this agenda through numerous organizations which she either joined or cofounded and actively participated. She was a charter member of the Monmouth County Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., the Lambda Omega Omega chapter and a Golden Soror (50 years) of the sorority, a lifetime member of the NAACP, and a founder of the Program for Acceleration in Careers in Computer Science (PAC). Her engagement in the struggle for human rights was only magnified when she retired.

After retirement, Maxine focused her attention, counseling and influencing her children, grandchildren and other family members, and friends of all ages. Maxine often reminded people "you are spiritual beings living a human experience." And believed that what you do with this experience is yours to make.

Mrs. Daniels was predeceased by her daughter and son in law Danita E. and Charles "Chip" Holmes and her husband of 67 years, Thomas Edward. She is survived by her children, Michael (Lisa), Karen, Kevin (KayKay), Daryl, Larrick, and Raun; and over forty combined grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great great grandchildren.