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Geneva Brown Mays Finney was born on May 22nd, 1927 in Summerton, South Carolina. She was the second of twelve children, born to the late Henry and Thelma Brown.
Upon completion of the Clarendon County Public School system, she attended Benedict College in Columbia, South Carolina. She received her Bachelor of Science degree from Benedict in 1949, with a double major in English and French, achieving her lifelong goal of becoming a professional educator. Furthermore, she received her Master of Science degree in Education from South Carolina State College in 1968.
Her professional educational career began as an English/French teacher at Scott’s Branch High School in Summerton, South Carolina from 1949 to 1954. She also taught at Whittemore High School in Conway, South Carolina from 1955 to 1964. Additionally, she held teaching positions in Kingstree, Denmark, and Saint Matthews, South Carolina. Her final teaching position brought her to Felton Laboratory School in Orangeburg, South Carolina, where she taught from 1968 until her retirement in 1990.
A beloved member of the Felton faculty and staff, Mrs. Finney held membership and leadership roles in groups such as the Student Council, the Modern Language Club, and the Social Welfare Committee. In addition, she was the founder of the Social Decorum Club, and served as its initial advisor. Other professional affiliations included the National Education Association, South Carolina Education Association, and the Organization of Middle School Teachers. One of her proudest professional achievements was her induction into Phi Delta Kappa, where she served in various capacities.
Her social and community commitments included membership in the Alpha Wives, the NAACP, the Helen Sheffield Girl’s Club, and the Bonneville Community Association. She also proudly joined Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc., where she remained an active member.
She married her college sweetheart James Burnis Mays of Andrews, South Carolina on October 29th, 1952 in Summerton, South Carolina. From that union two children were born, Yolanda Elena Mays and Myra Leticia Mays. Both James and Geneva taught at Whittemore High School from 1955 to 1961. Their union was tragically cut short due to James’ untimely death in 1961. Her younger daughter Myra preceded her in death in 1966.
In 1965, she married Ernest Adolphus Finney, Sr. of Orangeburg, South Carolina. They shared many common interests and activities, both professionally and personally. Both became members of Trinity United Methodist Church, with Mrs. Finney joining the United Methodist Women organization. She worked tirelessly to share the teachings of the Lord, and was a reliable member of the congregation. This could be seen in her involvement in many church programs, particularly in her summer instruction of Vacation Bible School. Highly regarded participants in the Orangeburg, South Carolina community, their twenty-seven-year union created numerous memories with family and friends. Their union lasted until 1992, when Finney, Sr. passed away as a result of natural causes.
Preceding her in death are siblings Vera Brown (sister), Howard Brown (brother), Henry “Bubba” Brown, Jr. (brother), Marian Duren (sister), Eva Quarles (sister), and Nathaniel Brown (brother).
She leaves to mourn her passing one daughter, Yolanda M. Brown (Moses) of Columbia, SC, two grandsons Jordan Brown of Minneapolis, MN and Justin Brown of Columbia, SC; Sisters Beatrice Rivers of Summerton, SC, Ethel Marshall of Summerton, SC, Maxine Reynolds (Alfred) of Oakland, CA; Brothers Harrison Brown (Nipa) of Sumter, SC, and Thomas Brown of Summerton, SC.
Also left to mourn her passing are daughter-in-law Frances Davenport Finney of Columbia, SC, grandchildren Ernest “Chip” Finney III (Tammy), Lynn “Nikky” Finney (Tonia), Jerry Finney (Elaine), Bruce Finney, Kimanthi Thompson, Husan Thompson, Nehandah Finney, Garvey Finney, and a host of other relatives and friends.
Mrs. Finney maintained a reputation of class, style, and poise among all who knew her. Always striving for the betterment of mankind, Mrs. Finney was a devoted wife, loving mother, and a nurturing teacher. The motto of her life could be found in the hymn “if I can help somebody as I pass this way, then my living will not have been in vain.”
The service will proceed as follows:
The viewing will be held on Thursday, June 23,2022 at Glover's Funeral Home from 1:00pm until 7:00pm.
The funeral will be held on Friday, June 24,2022 at Glover's Funeral Home beginning at 11:00am. All those attending service must wear a mask and adhere to all COVID-19 rules and regulations.
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