Charlie Jean Finley

Charlie Jean Finley, age 85, died in Bentonville, Ark., on Sunday, Nov. 23, 2014, after a brief hospitalization. Born Margaret Jean Ripley, March 10, 1929 in Warren, Ark., to John Starr Ripley and Vivian Sue Johnson Ripley, married in 1949 in El Dorado, Ark., to Marcus M Finley, she spent most of her life in El Dorado and Calion, Ark., and lived since 2004 in Garfield, Ark. (Benton Co). After raising her five children, Charlie served between 1980 and 1987 as the "living dictionary" for the classifieds section of the El Dorado News-Times. Charlie was a member of the First Methodist Church of El Dorado and active in the El Dorado garden club. She loved her family, including those who were "adopted" informally, and was much loved in return by all, for her generous spirit, her good sense, and especially for her sass. She also loved music, and nature in all its forms, and the creatures therein, especially if they wore feathers. Her love of nature was beautifully expressed for others to enjoy in the form of her gardens and her paintings. Survivors include her brother and his spouse Richard Burrelle Ripley (and Erma E Ripley, North Little Rock, Ark.) and their extensive family; children and spouses/partners David S Finley (and Theodosia H Ferguson, Berkeley, Calif.), John M Finley (and Patricia A Finley, Bella Vista, Ark.), Melissa M Finley (Walnut Creek, Calif.), and Lucas R Finley (Rogers, Ark.); daughter-in-law, Annmarie C Finley (Little Falls, N.J.); grandchildren and spouses, William Marcus Finley (and Jennifer A Finley, St Mary's, Ga.), Katherine A Burke (Tampa, Fla.), and Blake Tyler Finley (Rogers, Ark.); and great-grandchildren, William Ryan Finley (St Mary's, Ga.) and Jaylen N Burke (Tampa, Fla.). Charlie was predeceased by her husband of 63 years, Marcus M Finley, and her oldest son, Michael M Finley, late of Little Falls, N.J. A memorial service for the family and friends will be held after Jan. 1, with details to be announced later. Thanks to all the kind people who helped in her last days at Mercy Hospital in Rogers, AR, and the Circle of Life Hospice in Bentonville, AR, and special thanks and much love and appreciation to Odeana Truesdale and Teresa Brunell for their years of loving support and companionship to "Ms. Charlie."