Betsy Finley (Lebanon)'s Obituary
Mary Elizabeth “Betsy” Finley, daughter of Oliver W. “Bill” and Bobbye Jo Smith Hubbs, was born August 22, 1957, in Chicago, Illinois. She departed this life Friday, February 24, 2017, in Barnes Jewish Hospital, in St. Louis, Missouri, at the age of fifty-nine years, six months, and two days.
On December 17, 1983, she was united in marriage to Gerald Wayne Finley, and to this union two daughters and three sons were born.
She was preceded in death by her parents; a son, Specialist James Matthew Finley, in 2008; and a brother, Bruce Hubbs.
“Betsy”, as she was known by everyone, is survived by her loving husband of thirty-three years, Rev. Wayne, of the home; two daughters, Jennifer LeFors, and her husband, Nathan, and Jamie Finley, all of Lebanon, Missouri; two sons, John Michael Finley, and his fiancée, Elizabeth Doran, of New York City, New York, and Josh Finley, of Ann Arbor, Michigan; two grandchildren, Xander and Xoey; two brothers, Jonathan W. Hubbs, and his wife, Wanda, of Torrance, California, and Charles W. Hubbs, and his wife, Wendy, of Floyds Knobs, Indiana; two sisters, Brenda Gayle Parker, and her husband, Don, of Lancaster, South Carolina, and Rebecca S. Schenck, and her husband, Doug, of Nixa, Missouri; several nieces and nephews; as well as a host of other relatives and many friends.
She was born in Chicago, Illinois, and was raised in various locations while her father worked in Christian education. Betsy graduated from Elkton Christian High School in Elkton, Maryland. She then attended Tennessee Temple University in Chattanooga, Tennessee where she earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Education in 1980. She took her first teaching position in Clinton, Maryland, where she met Wayne. Once they were married, they moved to Florida, while Wayne finished his studies. Wayne served several churches for the next few years, and Betsy was a very supportive partner. In 1995, they moved to Lebanon, Missouri, where they finished raising their family and Wayne served at Heritage Baptist Church. Betsy was a devoted homemaker to her family, but also continued her teaching career, first at Joel E. Barber School, and then in Buffalo, Missouri. For the last fourteen years, she taught in the Conway High School, teaching business, accounting, and computer classes. She was also the sponsor of the Future Business Leaders Club. During these years, she earned her Master’s Degree in Business Education from Southwest Baptist University in Bolivar, Missouri. She loved teaching and was highly esteemed by her students, faculty, and staff.
Betsy made her profession of faith in Christ as a child and was led to the Lord by her father. She was an active member of Heritage Baptist Church where she worked in various capacities, and was also a supportive minister’s wife.
She centered her world around her family, her faith and her teaching. She was very proud of each of her children and their accomplishments and enjoyed attending their activities and events. Her grandchildren were the joy of her life and she loved spending time with them.
Betsy was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and was a caring friend. We celebrate her life and know that she will be remembered for her love of family, God, and teaching. She will be greatly missed by all those whose lives she had touched.
.Memorial donations to the Heritage Baptist Church may be made through the funeral home.
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