Queen Esther (Swann) Graves

Queen Esther Swann Graves was born June 18, 1927 in Caswell County, NC.  She passed away on September 8, 2019 at her home at the age of 92. She is preceded in death by her parents, Arthur Swann and Bessie Chambers Swann.  She was married to the late Connie Elvis Graves, son of Spencer Graves (deceased) and Lizzie Bolden Graves (deceased). In addition, she was preceded in death by her sisters: Mary Iona Swann Griggs, Doris Swann Graves, and Helene Swann Bradshaw and her brothers:  Elbert Swann, Earl Swann and O.N. Swann, Jr. (June).   

She was educated in the Caswell County School System, attended Hyco Elementary School and a graduate of Caswell County Training School.  She became a NC Licensed Cosmetologist after attending cosmetology school in Greensboro, NC. She later became a self-employed cosmetologist and studied business at Rockingham Community College, Reidsville, NC.  

She was a faithful member of Beulah Baptist Church, Leasburg, NC.  She loved attending her daughter’s church, Christ The King Church in Celebration, Fl. She loved her family and singing most of all.  She sang at various churches including Beulah Baptist Church, Brown’s Chapel Missionary Baptist Church and Trinity Baptist Church. She also loved dancing, sewing, oil painting, cooking, canning, baking and giving of herself to others.

Queen was employed by Apex Beauty Salon, Rockingham County School System, Rockingham County Social Services Department, and the Black Caucus of North Carolina. She was an active member of the NAACP, and Good Neighbors Club of Reidsville which was sponsored by McLaurin Funeral Home.

She leaves loving memories to be cherish by her only child, Lauren Graves LaDota and her son-in-law, Victor LaDota, of Windermere, Fl., her sister, Estella Elois Swann Burton of Washington, DC,  and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and those she loved as friends.

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