Sue Beth Finch

Sue Beth Finch, age 82, passed into the hands of her Heavenly Father on Nov. 21, 2020. Born on Dec. 4, 1937, to the late Malcolm and Nona Chastain Rowland in Maryville, Tennessee, Sue Beth grew up in the mountains of Murphy, North Carolina at Martins Creek. It is there that she was surrounded by loving aunts, uncles, and cousins who helped to make her life richer, teaching her, and shaping her character. She was a lifelong member of Martins Creek United Methodist Church and a graduate of Murphy High School. After graduating high school, she attended Young Harris College and graduated from Mercer University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Education and was certified to teach grades K-12. It was at Young Harris where she met and fell in love with her husband of 61 years, William Finch, who was also an Education major. They both received graduate degrees from the University of Georgia, with Sue Beth earning a Master’s Degree in Counseling. Sue Beth’s first teaching jobs were in Fort Valley and Macon. After marrying, she moved to Talbotton, Georgia where she taught high school history and English, served also as the school counselor where she worked to develop a curriculum and support system that would help all students have better access to college. She finished her education career as a counselor at Tabor Junior HIgh School in Warner Robins where she worked for 18 years. From her first job as an elementary teacher to her last work as a school counselor, her students and colleagues reached out to her, many of whom became dear friends. It was not unusual for her to receive phone calls, letters, and visits from her students, some of whom visited her during her 2 years of hospice care. After retirement, Mrs. Finch enjoyed spending quality time with her family. She especially loved reading, playing games, working puzzles, shopping, and traveling to the mountains and beach. Mrs. Finch was dedicated to her family and is survived by her loving husband, William “Bill” Finch, Jr.; her daughters, Marsha Tiffany Finch of Warner Robins, GA; Cessany Elizabeth (Christian) Montcriol of Winterville, GA; Jennifer (Kenneth) Ham of Warner Robins, GA; her precious grandchildren, Ian Bradley Jones of Lawrenceville, GA, and William Tyler Ham and Leyton Elizabeth Ham of Warner Robins, GA; her sister-in-laws, Barbara Finch Moody and Ann Finch Murphy of Union Point, GA and Connie Jackson of Warner Robins, GA.; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins. In addition to her parents, Mrs. Finch was preceded in death by brother-in-laws, Gerald Douglas Jackson and Alton Murphy. Due to the seriousness of Covid 19, the family will hold a private service at Heritage Memorial Funeral Home. Contributions to Martins Creek United Methodist Church ( 38 Tobe Stalcup Road, Murphy, NC 28906) and St. Jude Children’s Hospital would be welcomed.