On January 17, 1943, Clara Virginia Swain was born to Charles and Carrie Swain in Georgia. The eldest of three girls, Clara attended Polk County Schools and graduated with the class of 1962 from Rochelle High School. Clara’s love for culinary arts and the art of clothing design and tailoring was sparked in high school under the tutelage of Ms. Gilcrest, the Home Economics teacher.

After graduation her love for culinary and design continued which caused her to take numerous workshops to hone her skills and everyone around her could taste the love by eating color coordinated, flavorful cuisine; homemade breads; and her hard to resist delicious desserts. Others, experienced her love as she meticulously tailored everything from men’s sportswear and suits to wedding gowns and lingerie. She also had a knack for creating beautiful crochet blankets, hats, and baby booties.

Clara shared the enjoyment of scrapbooking and collecting porcelain dolls with her sister Charlie Mae for the past twenty years. Her love for the Christmas season is unmatched. Each year was met with a new Christmas theme of decorations from outside to inside. She would gift-wrap the entire exterior of her home and put a huge red bow on the front that could be seen from a far distance. There would be a Christmas tree outside and inside the home full of lights and beautiful ornaments. She’d also decorate a huge display table with a Christmas village and rolling hills of snow.

Another attribute she shared with others is her love for Jesus Christ. She was a devoted member of Friendship Baptist Church while residing in Lewes, Delaware where she retired from working for the state of Delaware. She also went to seminary school to further her understanding of the gospel during this time. Later in life she moved back to Lakeland where she often attended worship services at Greater Faith Temple Church of our Lord Christ of the Apostolic Faith (COOLJC).

It is said there are several expressions of love, Clara identified with acts of service and gift giving. She showed love to many through her acts of kindness and warmest smile; always giving a helping hand, being a huge support, giving great advice, and sacrificing herself for others. She is the epitome of having a heart of pure gold.

We all will miss Clara aka Clara P, Clair, Grandma Clara, Nana, Ma, and Mama. She will continue to live in our hearts for the love she shared with us all will never die, but live on.
She was preceded in by her parents: Charlse and Carrie Swain; sister: Hattie Hammon and grandmother: Clara Worth.

She is survived by her children: Antoine Swain, Sr., (Marcella), Shawne Dukes Brown, Azoria Swain; sister: Charlie Mae Dukes; uncle: Leroy Worth (Betty); grandchildren: Deyrelle Dukes, Lateka Swain, Charles Riddle, Jr., Sierra Riddle, John Brown, Jr., Antoine Swain, Jr., Jasmine Swain, Latisha Swain, Carrie Felder, Ayah Felder; nieces: Rita Tolliver (Fred), Darby Dukes (Michael) and a host of great grandchildren, cousins and extended family members.