Ruth Woodward Finley

Orlando, FL Mrs. Ruth Woodward Finley passed away on Tuesday, March 24, 2015. Ruth was born July 20, 1911 in Spokane, Washington, and moved to the Abingdon area as a small child. She graduated from Greendale High School and began working as a bookkeeper in Abingdon. She later moved to Welch, West Virginia to work at the local hospital, where she met her future husband, Harry Leon Finley. She followed him to Austin, Texas, where they were married. After living and working in various places throughout the country, Ruth and Harry settled in the Orlando area. They were married for 32 years until his death. After her husband’s death, Ruth started her career with Dillard’s, retiring from the company in 1982. In her retirement years, she spent part of the year in Orlando and the remaining time in Abingdon. Ruth was a proud member of the United Daughters of the Confederacy and the Daughters of the American Revolution. Her interests included collecting flow blue china and jewelry. She was preceded in death by her husband, Harry Leon Finley; a son who died in infancy, Leon Finley; her parents, John and Eleanor Woodward; and her sister, Juanita Denton. Ruth is survived by her daughter, Carolyn Payne; sons Harry Finley and wife Pam, and Larry Finley and wife Belinda; five grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and two nephews. The family of Ruth Woodward Finley will receive friends from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 28, 2015, at the Main Street Chapel of Farris Funeral Service. A graveside service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, March 29, 2015, at the Hagy Cemetery (located behind Greendale Home for the Aged in the Greendale community of Abingdon) with Pastor Bill Breeding of Carvosso United Methodist Church officiating. Pallbearers will be Larry Finley, Harry Finley, Joe Payne, Gene Denton, John Denton, Michael Finley and Matt Williams. Family and friends planning to attend the graveside service are invited to meet at the cemetery on Sunday by 12:50 p.m. Those wishing to share memories and express sympathy online may do so by visiting www.farrisfuneralservice.com. Ruth Woodward Finley and her family are in the care of Farris Funeral Service and Crematory, 427 East Main Street, Abingdon, VA 24210 (276-623-2700).