Charlotte Johnston Finch

Charlotte Finch went home to be with Jesus on September 1, 2026. Charlotte was a well-known Austin businesswoman, owner of Iron Works Barbecue since its creation in 1978, mother of Stephen Yuill, mother-in-law of Crystal Yuill and loving grandmother to Hunter and Dylan Yuill.

Charlotte began life in a small Northeast Texas town the thirteenth of fourteen children. The “baby” girl. She was shy and did not talk until she was three, probably because of her extremely talkative siblings. As she grew up, she became determined to be free of that small town. She worked very hard as a nanny to earn money for college. She ended up going to business college and was hired by USAA in San Antonio, Texas right after graduation. She often said that San Antonio was her favorite place to live.

She moved to Austin, married David Yuill and gave birth to her only child, her beloved son Stephen. David died of cancer when Stephen was only 2. Soon after, Charlotte purchased the Weigel Iron Works Building with the dream of turning it into a barbecue restaurant while maintaining its historical significance. It became an Austin institution. She fed down and out musicians and multi-millionaire businessmen, politicians and celebrities. Charlotte and Ironworks became synonymous with great food and Southern hospitality. Her son carries on that tradition today.

Charlotte was a strong, intelligent, generous woman who loved her extended family fiercely. She is the last of the siblings to pass on but she is survived by her beloved sisters-in-law Lou Johnston, Georgia Johnston, Beverly Abercrombie, and Sheryl Johnson, over a hundred nieces and nephews and many grand nieces and nephews, beloved friends, and devoted employees that have become family.

Graveside services will be held Friday, September 11th at noon at Cook-Walden/Forest Oaks Funeral Home & Memorial Park, followed by lunch at Madolals.