Charlotte M Finney

Charlotte Mae Gates Finney was born October 28, 1921 to Fred Worthington and Elsie Mae Treaster Gates on a farm near Beloit, Kansas. She passed from this life just as beautifully as she lived it on August 17, 2014 at the age of 92 years, 9 months and 20 days at the Mitchell County Hospital in Beloit, Kansas.

Charlotte grew up on the family farm by the "Blue Hills" of southwest Mitchell County. She and her younger brother Maxell spent their childhood exploring the countryside and playing with neighboring friends. At the early age of 9, Charlotte was already strong in her faith and chose to give her heart to the Lord and was baptized. Charlotte attended country school at Hayes Rural #96 where she boasted that she could kick the ball better than most of the boys on the playground. During her High School years, Charlotte rented a room in a Beloit boarding house so she could attend Beloit High.

On May 27, 1938, Charlotte married Dwight McDill Finney, Jr. in a Presbyterian preacher's living room in Kansas City. To this union six children were born. The couple raised their family and farmed the land in the Simpson, Kansas area. They attended the Green Mound Church of Christ in the countryside south of Simpson.

During the years of raising her family, she kept extra busy feeding the men who helped on the farm. A noon meal was never complete without a fresh fruit pie, especially her famous cherry. She always had a vegetable garden growing and beautiful flowers. She took pride in her work and in her children and grandchildren. Dwight and Charlotte took time to enjoy life. They were avid bowlers and loved playing the family game Pollyanna with whomever was visiting. On Friday night, they would shut down the farm and take the family to the lake to enjoy boating and camping. Many fond memories were formed between Charlotte and her grandchildren fishing on the banks of the Solomon River which runs along the family farm. In their later years, they motor homed across the US, visiting most of the states, Old Mexico and Canada. Always returning with many stories of their adventures. They were married 58 ½ years when Dwight passed in 1997. After his passing, Charlotte continued to travel going on bus tours with friends.

Charlotte was an active member of the Beloit Church of Christ. When the church had potluck dinners, she would always fix enough food herself to feed the whole church herself. She always had a desire to serve others, whether it was to take care of her family, church family or the many friends she would set with during hospital stays. She volunteered at the senior center and hospital. She belonged to many of the local clubs throughout her years and made many lifelong friends.

Proceeding Charlotte in death were her parents Fred & Elsie Gates, her husband Dwight M. Finney, Jr.; two sons Garron D. Finney & infant son Gary L. Finney. Her brother Maxell F. Gates; two grandsons and a great granddaughter.

Left to celebrate her life and continue her legacy are her four daughters: Conene & John Turner, McPherson, KS, Janet & Russell Siegel, Shawnee, KS, Patricia & Vernon Adams, Jean and Gary Krier both of Simpson, KS; 14 grandchildren, 36 great grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren.

Funeral Services will be held at 10:30 A.M. Saturday, August 23, 2014 at the First United Methodist Church in Beloit with burial following in Elmwood Cemetery. Memorials may be given to the Mitchell County Regional Medical Foundation or the Beloit Church of Christ. Visitation will be from 9:00 A.M. until 8:00 P.M. Friday at the McDonald Funeral Home where the family will receive friends from 6:30 P.M. until 7:30 P.M.