Claire Wilson Yarborough

Claire Wilson Yarborough of Georgetown, South Carolina, passed away peacefully on April 10, 2026, surrounded by her beloved family members. A lifelong resident of South Carolina, Claire was born and raised in Hemingway, South Carolina. She was the loving daughter of D.I. Wilson, Jr. and Inez Brown Wilson Galloway.

Claire graduated from Columbia College and earned her Master’s Degree at the University of South Carolina. After a year of elementary school teaching, Claire quickly realized that teaching grammar school was not for her! She soon returned to her beloved Columbia College to serve as Dean of Women for several years. She truly exemplified the motto of Columbia College, non quem sed quid – “not who but what” and her actions and deeds were transformative to the lives of students by whom Claire was loved and revered.

After her formal employment at Columbia College, she continued as an advocate for single-gender education, as she had experienced the advantages and opportunities it afforded. For many years, Claire served on the Board of Trustees at Columbia College with honor and distinction.

For more than 20 years, Claire was a fixture in the corporate office of Colonial Life & Accident Insurance Company serving as Senior Vice President in both the Human Resources area and the Government Relations & Compliance area. With Colonial, Claire traveled the world and made lifelong friends.

Claire was a member of the Health Insurance Association of America and the American Council of Life Insurers. Her volunteer service included the following boards: SC Chamber of Commerce, Family Service Center (United Way), Columbia College Board of Visitors and Board of Trustees as well as DeBordieu Colony Community Association. She was a member of All Saints Church and enjoyed travel and bridge and riding with Paul on his Harley Davidson.

For all her professional accomplishments and volunteer work, Claire treasured her family and friends most. In 1985, while volunteering for Junior Achievement, Claire was introduced to the love of her life, Paul Loren Yarborough. Claire and Paul soon married and enjoyed a remarkable relationship allowing Claire to become a mother to Paul’s children, Jason and Ruth. Claire’s impact on the Yarboroughs was immeasurable. Coming from a small family herself, Claire was loved and entertained by the Yarborough clan. The birth of Jason’s children Kenneth, Reese and Kyler ushered in her very own and most cherished Mimi-era.

Claire’s relationship with her brother D.I., her nieces and grandnieces, led her to move with Paul from their home in Lexington, South Carolina to Georgetown, South Carolina. From there, they enjoyed many days at the family farm riding ATVs, rocking and reminiscing. Claire and Paul became real estate agents with Sotheby’s International Realty in Georgetown. Claire and Paul often used the phrase with clients, “We weren’t born here, but we got here as quickly as we could.” They continued their community involvement by volunteering for Teach My People. They both loved living on the coast and enjoyed their leisure time sitting on their porch gazing at God’s magnificent creation of Winyah Bay, sharing this spot openly with family and friends. They were able to create many life-long memories with their children and grandchildren in this special place. Claire was ensconced in the lives of her nieces Scarlett and Tara, as well as her grandnieces Ellie and Emma. Her impact on them will endure all of time.

Claire’s family is in awe of Claire’s medical team led by Dr. Frank Brescia and Hannah Krueger at the Medical University of South Carolina. The Tidelands Georgetown Memorial Hospital Team gave Claire incredible comfort in her final days. Without question, Claire could not have lived the balance of her life on her own terms without the love and devotion of her dear friends, especially Deb Shank and Lynn Lamborn.

Claire is survived by Jason Yarborough(Julie) and Ruth Yarborough Rauch(Pete); grandchildren Kenneth(Kalae), Reese and Kyler; her brother D.I. Wilson, iii(Beverly); nieces Tara Wilson Barr(Wes) and Scarlett Wilson(Heather Sharpe); grandnieces Elizabeth Barr Dorn(Joe) and Emma Barr Rogers(Thomas); stepsiblings Ginny Galloway McDowell, Nancy Galloway Cribb(Gerald), Dr. John S. Galloway(Lynda). She was predeceased by her husband Paul Yarborough and her parents, D.I. Wilson, Jr. and Inez Brown Galloway and stepfather W.B. Galloway, Jr.

A celebration of life service will be held on Tuesday, April 14th at 1:00pm at All Saints Pawleys Church, 3560 Kings River Road, Pawleys Island SC 29585. A visitation will be held immediately after the service at Claire and Paul’s home. Committal will be private at a later date.

In memory of Claire, donations may be made to Teach My People, 753 Waverly Road, Pawleys Island, SC 29585; Focused Living Ministries, 7001 Saint Andrews Road, Box 306, Columbia, SC 29212 attn: Jason Yarborough.

Online condolences may be left at www.ridgewayfh.com

Ridgeway Funeral Home of Georgetown is in charge of the arrangements. (843) 485-4242