Jane D. Swain

Jane Carolyn Daniels Swain was born in Jefferson County, Alabama on December 12, 1939, to James and Martha H. Daniels.  She graduated from A. H. Parker High School and later attended Tuskegee Institute to study English. At Tuskegee, she became a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.  Jane later attended Kean College where she received her teaching degree.

In October 1960, she married Colbert Carlyle Swain and traveled the world as an Army wife.  He affectionately called her Carolyn and they remained married until his passing in 2009. They eventually settled in Linden, NJ where Jane worked for Western Electric and then became a high school English teacher in Elizabeth, NJ.  They relocated to Hampton Roads, Virginia in 1988 where Jane continued teaching at Virginia Beach and Chesapeake public schools until her retirement.  She was a member of Rock Church in Virginia Beach, Virginia.

Jane had a passion for fashion and became a skilled seamstress. She created her custom clothing and enjoyed sewing for family and friends.  She was known for her baking skills and loved to share her goods at church, for holidays,  and events.  Many will miss her famous zucchini bread!

She loved her family and cared for her two daughters and their children throughout her life.  Known as "MaMa" to the grandchildren, she created special names for each one—“Nanny Two Pegs,” “Chuck-a-Luck,” “Teven Teven Teven,” “Lutiebelle Gussie Mae Jenkins,” “Mister David,” and “Joy”. She was known for her wit and her feistiness.

Jane was predeceased by her parents, her husband, and her grandson, Charles “Chuckie” Mayes IV.  She is survived by her two daughters, Shari Lynn Swain and NorLisa Swain Mayes; grandchildren, Patrice M. West (Melvin “Chip” West), Stephen Andrew Swain, Jessica Leigh Mayes; great-grandchildren David Khalil Mayes, Gweneth Joy Mayes, and Zoe Layne West; cousin, Beverly Floyd; and several family, friends, and pets (Chicken Legs and Columbus)

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