Obituary of Margaret Ferrell Finley

For 102 years the world has been graced by the joyful spirit of Margaret Ferrell Finley, who passed away peacefully on September 14, 2015, with family members by her side. Margaret was born in Chattanooga on July 21, 1913, to Rufus and Mable Young Ferrell. She was a member of the first graduating class of the Girls Preparatory School in 1931 and was known by her classmates as “always joyful, lovable, and dainty”. Her vibrant red hair and radiant smile soon caught the eye of the late W. Max Finley. The couple were wed on March 13, 1933, and enjoyed a long, loving marriage that spanned six decades. The epitome of a life well lived, Margaret had an unending love of people, of family, and of the Lord. She was a longtime member of Central Presbyterian and, after its closure, could be found on Sundays seated in the back row of Rivermont Presbyterian. Throughout her life, Margaret was committed to meeting the needs of young people. She quietly supported numerous Christian and educational organizations such as Montreat College in North Carolina, King College, Signal Mountain Christian School, and the Children’s Nutrition Program of Haiti. An advocate for the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (UTC), Max and Margaret Finley established a fund in 1986 to help adult students, especially single parents and women, earn a business degree. Margaret was instrumental in the local effort to build Finley Stadium for UTC and Chattanooga in honor of her late husband. In February of 2015, she legacy of support for UTC through an endowment to create the W. Max Finley Chair of Excellence in American Business. Because of her selfless giving and commitment to others, Margaret received numerous recognitions during her long life. She was named a Charter Member of the Charles Dabney Society and received an honorary Doctorate in Humane Letters from Montreat College at the age of ninety-seven. Upon her 100th birthday, Margaret was given the City of Chattanooga Distinguished Citizen award by Mayor Andy Berke. One year later, Margaret was presented with a key to Chattanooga, the city she called home her entire life. Margaret was preceded in death by her husband, W. Max Finley, and her daughter, Judith Finley Stone. She is survived by her daughter, Cynthia Finley Anderson and her husband Stephen G. Anderson of Winston-Salem, NC, her nephew, Vaden “Happy” Shaden and his wife Betsy Shaden of Cashiers, NC, and her loving grandchildren and their families: William M. Stone III, of Dayton, OH; Catherine Dianne Stone, of Nashville, TN; Robert Finley Stone, of Chattanooga, TN; Cynthia Dair Stone, of Chattanooga, TN; Ruskin Gregory Anderson, of Winston-Salem, NC; and Margaret “Meg” Anderson Lavender, of Athens, GA. Margaret is also survived by her seven great granddaughters and one great, great grandson. Margaret Ferrell Finley will forever be remembered for her joyous love of life, her easy and contagious smile, and her true devotion to her family, her community, and her faith. She has been a blessing to so many and will be missed by all who were fortunate to know her. Funeral services will be held at 1:00 P.M. on Thursday, September 17, 2015 at Rivermont Presbyterian Church with Reverend Clay Thomas officiating. Interment will follow in Forest Hills Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Thursday from 11:30 AM until the time of the service at the church. The family wishes to thank those who helped care for Margaret over the last years, especially her longtime and devoted caregivers Mary Wright and Jennifer DeFreest. The family would also like to recognize the service provided by Hospice of Chattanooga and ask that in lieu of flowers donations be made to Hospice of Chattanooga, 4411 Oakwood Drive, Chattanooga TN, 37416. Arrangements are by Wann Funeral Home & Cremation Center, 4000 Tennessee Avenue, Chattanooga, TN 37409 (423) 821-7551 Share your memories, stories and photos at www.wannfuneralhome.com.