Alice J. Findley (Mansfield)'s Obituary
Alice Jane (Letsinger) Findley was born March 10, 1932 near Mansfield, Missouri, to Maude and Earl Letsinger. She was the eldest sibling of Helen Letsinger Dixon and Charley Krider.
Alice graduated from Mansfield High School, which is where she met the love of her life, K.C. Findley. After the two were married on January 20, 1951, they moved into the top floor of the Findley farm house, sharing the home with K.C.’s mother and youngest sister, Betty (Skipworth) Findley. Early in their marriage, K.C. was drafted into the U.S. Army, where he served the country in the motor pool stationed in Fort Polk, Louisiana, originally leaving Alice behind to do her part in Mansfield. Several hand-written letters clearly proved K.C. missed Alice, so she soon joined K.C. near the military base while he served out his term. After serving his country, the couple returned home to the family farm, where they welcomed two children: Kevin Curtis Findley and Sheila Kay Findley.
Alice and K.C. raised their children on this farm—a picturesque setting nestled among the rolling hills between Mansfield and Hartville, Missouri—proudly continuing the Findley farm legacy and even being honored with a Century Farm award in 1994. That same year, Alice’s life changed as she became a widow. Showing resilience, she picked herself up by her bootstraps and did her part to keep the farm going with her son, Kevin, who still manages the farm’s operations today.
While she spent some time as a military wife, Alice’s personal lifelong regiment included a commitment to Wolf Creek Freewill Baptist Church, where she was a member and served and loyally attended every event and service she could. Alice loved the church both for the community it created and the opportunity it provided her—it was her key in spreading and celebrating the word of Jesus Christ, her savior.
Alice, or Nana—as she was lovingly called by her grandchildren—lived a full and vibrant life. She had a love for birds, planning family walks to the bluff on the farm to see cranes or starting her day by watching hummingbirds from her porch swing—book and coffee in hand. Those who knew her well knew that her coffee was drank black, and it was preferably in a teacup. Alice believed there was always room for two things—laughter and dessert—and these desserts were often pumpkin pie, coconut cake or other items that she whipped up from scratch. Her love for the sweetest things in life was displayed in many ways, including the way she called her grandchildren baby cakes.
Alice spent her life creating memories that will always be cherished by those she loved most. She enjoyed traveling with her husband, family and friends and visited states from coast to coast and even Hawaii, Canada, Mexico and the Bahamas. She often spent evenings watching ball games, and she especially loved when one of her own was on the team—without fail, her cheers were heard by those in the game and everyone in the stands. She loved music and concerts, many of which she attended for or with her grandchildren or great-grandchildren, and she also provided many of them with private serenades of “A Bushel and a Peck,” an anthem they have all carried on to their own children.
Alice is survived by her son, Kevin Findlay and wife, Lois; her daughter, Sheila Pool and husband, Mick; grandson, Kendall Findley, and his wife, Kinsey; granddaughters, Lacy Martin, and her husband, Jake, Kayla Jane Jones, and husband, Cameron; great-grandchildren Kaceston, Kamdyn and Kingsley Findley; Elise and Sophia Martin and Mickie Jane Jones; sister, Helen Dixon; brother, Charley Krider; sister-in-law, Betty Skipworth and husband, Percy, as well as many, many other family and dear friends. Alice was preceded in death by her parents, husband, sister, Ireta, several brothers and sisters in law.
We celebrate the life and legacy of Alice Jane Findley, holding on to the truth that through our Lord Jesus Christ we will meet again.
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