Lauren Finley

Lauren Michelle departed for heaven suddenly on Thursday, October 4, 2018. Lauren was born at Tampa General Hospital on Sunday, January 9, 1977 at 6:07PM to Mark & Lori Chapman, and was raised in Lutz. She attended Mort Elementary, Bayshore Christian School, where she met her lifelong best friend Erica Johnson, Buchanan Junior High School, and Chamberlain High School. Her grandmother Virginia Vierra taught special education at Chamberlain and instilled a love of teaching in her granddaughter. Lauren was a graduate of the University of South Florida with a degree in Inner Disciplinary Social Science and a minor in Religion. She was loved by everyone who knew her, but especially by her family. Her beautiful smile could light up a room and she made everyone who crossed her path feel special. Lauren had a special place in her heart for children. She was working towards obtaining her teaching certificate in December and finally realizing her dream of having her own classroom and was already collecting items to use in it. Lauren held positions at Publix Supermarkets and Bank of America, before retiring to homeschool her son, Justin until this past year. She loved hiking, especially in the mountains of North Carolina, yoga, walking with her little dog Miley in her neighborhood and nature in general. Green was her favorite color. Her musical tastes ranged from The Beatles, Tom Petty, Pearl Jam, The Cranberries, James Taylor, Dave Matthews, Mumford & Sons, to Dolly Parton, The Judds and Red Sovine. Lauren married Kory Finley in 2004 and they made their home in Woodstock, GA. After their son Justin arrived in August 2005, they returned to Lutz to raise him and be close to family. For Lauren, being a mother was her greatest accomplishment and she loved being Justin’s mom. Lauren was predeceased by her father, Mark Chapman; grandmother, Evelyn Chapman; grandfather, Roy Chapman; sister, Hayley Chapman; grandfather, John Ballard; and grandmother, Virginia Vierra. Lauren is survived by her beloved son, Justin Finley, who was her heart & soul; husband, Kory Finley; mother, Lori Chapman Powell (Dave Powell); brother, Randy Chapman; niece, Evelynn Chapman; nephew, Cole Chapman; aunt, Annie Daniels; uncles, Bruce Chapman and Mike Chapman (Aunt Judy); aunt, Brenda Chapman; aunt, Elaine Moore (Uncle John); cousin, John “Skeeter” Moore (Shelly & Ressie Moore); father & mother in law, Chris & Terri Kosecki; mother in law, Jannelle Finley; grandmother in law, Carol Herman; brother in laws, Jason & Jake Kosecki; aunt Cretha & Uncle D Grant; stepmother, Ginger Chapman; sister, Kelly Chapman; nephew, Jaxon Glanz; stepsister, Stephanie Henry (Brian); nieces, Chloe & Emersyn Henry; stepsister, Kelly Souviner (Jeff); nephews, Marcus, Josh & Jaden; Amy Garzaro (Allan); nephew, Ian; Megan and Arata (Dave); niece, Luna; cousins, Royce Grant, Kenny & Carol Deyarmin, Michael Chapman, Chrissy Chapman, Melody Moore, Nicole Chapman, Russell Chapman, Christopher Portelli; and many, many more loved ones. Words cannot describe the incredible pain and loss we feel in losing this precious young lady way too soon. There will be an emptiness in our souls for as long as we live. But through our faith in God and belief in Jesus Christ we will see her again one day. But until then, we will push through this thing called life. In lieu of flowers, please make a tax-deductible contribution to either Guardian Ad Litem, of which Lauren was a volunteer, at Hillsborough Guardian Ad Litem, 700 E. Twiggs St., Suite 750, Tampa, FL 33602. Or, support her love of whale conservation by donating to www.adopt-us.whales.org To honor Lauren and her love of children and the importance of reading, we are establishing the Lauren Finley Literacy Foundation to bring books and knowledge to children in our community. With this foundation, Lauren will live on in a manner she would approve and appreciate. Lauren will be cremated and her celebration of life will be held at the Northwest Community Church, 14139 Hutchison Rd, Tampa, FL 33625, on Saturday, October 13 at 1:00 in the afternoon, with a reception to follow immediately afterwards at the church. Pastor Scott Collins will officiate.