Claudette Jones Swain

Claudette Swain, 74, passed away on June 16, 2015 after several years of declining health. She was born on April 2, 1941 to Madeline Finch and William “Bill” David Jones of Cary. Claudette attended Cary High School and married Frank F. Yarborough before graduating from the first class of Mitchell’s Hair Styling in Raleigh. She styled hair and raised three children as a single mother until meeting and marrying her second husband, Bill Swain, of Swain’s Charcoal Steakhouse fame. In 1970, they moved to Atlanta, GA, where she managed and ran the flag steakhouse in downtown. After the restaurant closed in 1980, she bartended for several years at a variety of local restaurants and pubs, until she moved back to Cary to help take care of her ailing mother. She was employed with the State of NC in the Disability Determination Department, where she worked for nearly 19 years. “G-ma” was known for her generosity and perseverance in hardship.

She leaves behind her sister Myrna J. Eakes of Raleigh; a brother William Stanley “Bill” Jones (Edna) of Knightdale; three children, Karen Y. Pugmire (Mark) and Frances Y. Harris, of Snellville, GA and Frank B. Yarborough (Jan) of Cary. She was a dear grandmother to Joey Harris (Erin) of Cumming, GA; Daniel Harris (Erin) of Snellville, GA, Stacy, Nick and Chris Petersen of Snellville, GA, Kyle Yarborough, Ft Worth, TX and Dale and Jack Yarborough of Cary. She also leaves behind a niece, several nephews, six great-grandchildren, and several cousins.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, July 11 at 11 am at First Baptist Church in downtown Cary.

Please consider making a donation in Claudette’s memory to an organization that helps build ramps for the elderly and disabled, just like they did for her. Checks should be made out to First Baptist Church Cary with “Baptist Men/Claudette Swain” in the memo line and mailed to FBC, 218 S. Academy St., Cary, NC 27511.