Craddock Connection

Fay Finley was no ordinary mother or grandmother. She was an extraordinary mother, grandmother, great grandmother, great great grandmother, aunt, and friend. So many friends have told us the last couple of days how mother would say the words “I love you” and how special she was to them.

Fay was born during the time of World War I, lived through World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam Conflict, Desert Storm and now the three years of war in Iraq. Both of her sons served in the military and she also has several great-grandchildren currently in military service. Fay did not wait until everything was right in the world to experience joy, love and laughter. If she had, we would not have these special funny, sweet memories of her.

Anyone who knew Fay Finley knew her as a “GO GETTER!” One day when Fay was 13 years old she was leaving the Prairie View Missionary Baptist Church and she overheard several boys in a discussion about a horse one of them had. The horse’s owner didn’t think anyone of his friends could ride the horse without being thrown off. She promptly told those gathered that she could ride the horse but wanted to know what the prize was. After digging in their pockets the boys gathered 37 cents for the prize money. Fay rode the horse but paid dearly with blood all over her only Sunday dress. After her mother was told about this episode she insisted Fay return the money and be punished. Her dad intervened and thought she should be allowed to keep the money, which she did; but was still punished by Grandma Susie.

She was an excellent basketball player when she was in high school and was an all-state player both as a freshman and also as a sophomore with a 25+ scoring average. Fay supported her family in all activities, whether they were showing animals at a livestock show, playing basketball, in a piano recital or Bible School program. She’s even been known to catch the eye of a referee if he made a call against Verden that she disagreed with.

Once Fay’s children were playing outside and Ansel rigged up the cotton scales, used in the cotton field to weigh cotton as the workers emptied their sacks into the wagon. He tied it with baling wire and weighed his brother and two sisters. When Fay came out to check on the children, they insisted she be weighed. As she grabbed the scales and lifted her feet off the ground the scales crashed down onto her head, the blood gushed and Fay was knocked unconscious. The four kids thought they had killed her, but Ansel ran to get the neighbor, Alfred Reese and when Fay opened her eyes again he was staring down at her and she quickly assured him she was just fine. She finally raised up, crawled a few feet and passed out again. Eventually she made it to the house and cleaned the gash and assured the kids she would be alright (although she was a little mad).

Classmates of Fay’s four children loved to spend time with the Finley family. There was always fun, laughter and GOOD FOOD! Sometimes Rosalee’s entire basketball team would gather for a meal before a game.

All ten of her grandchildren have special memories of times spent with “Grandma Fay.” She would load them all in the pick­up, drive north of Verden and give driving lessons including driving over the dam with the others hanging off the tailgate. Fortunately there were no serious mishaps, but the possibilities would increase when Debra went off the road or Bret accelerated. No matter who drove, the others always pointed out that the driver was “Off the Road!” As the student driver followed Grandma Fay’s direction, he or she had nine critics also giving directions. There were no parents or adults allowed on these “driving lesson” trips for fear of heart failure for the parents.

She was also an excellent “story teller” and could make her childhood and motherhood memories and stories into the most exciting tales. Sometimes after a scary ghost story, all ten grandchildren crowded in so close they were all ten touching her. She didn’t really enjoy all ten touching her at once! One such time was when she promised a night at the haunted house north of Chickasha Lake, near Fairview grade school, where she and Aubrey attended school as children. Anticipation was high and the day finally arrived. Everyone loaded into the pickup and off they went on the adventure of a lifetime. As the night progressed, the adventure became more than intense. She told the kids to look for hidden clues in the woods (some of the kids expecting to find long­ lost severed limbs) and the stories got scarier so they all decided they better go back into Verden and check on Grand-dad Aubrey (you know, he might be lonely).

Fay inspired, motivated and challenged all whose lives touched hers to be the very best they could be. When the nieces and nephews lost their parents, Aunt Fay took over that roll and they ALL cherished her and the bond has never been broken. All of these nieces, nephews and their children still bask in this bond. Fay enjoyed her daily lunches at the Senior Center in Verden and those of you who were there and waited on her “hand and foot” ­we thank you! She especially looked forward to the Wednesday Bingo games (though she usually gave her winnings to the Grands (grandkids). She taught Sunday School classes for many years and I know you’ll agree that her special gift from God was to ENCOURAGE and LOVE everyone! She played the piano by ear and has played at many church services and sang at many funerals, as well as shared food anytime there was a need. She was an avid quilter and left more than 30 hand-made quilts to loved ones. She loved the members of all the churches in Verden and was first and foremost a Christian. She used to say she was a member of the Baptist Church and the human race and that’s all she needed; and as all of you know she was a VIBRANT & ACTIVE participant of the Baptist Church and the human race whether she was teaching the word of God or portraying Minnie Pearl!