Margaret Watkins Finch

Margaret Watkins Finch, 75, passed away peacefully with her children by her side on Sunday, June 3rd after a prolonged illness. Margaret was born on December 29th, 1942 in Aiken, SC, the second daughter of Ace Workman Watkins and Winnifred Hallman Watkins.Her early childhood years were spent in Chappells, SC, where she attended elementary school. Her family later moved to Newberry, SC, and she attended Newberry High School, graduating a year early in the class of 1960. Margaret next attended Newberry College, where she met and married Michael T. Finch Sr. Mike and Margaret were married for 20 years, and she raised her children in the St. Andrews area of Columbia. Margaret later attended the University of SC as well and studied interior design, which allowed her to work in various capacities in the interior design industry in the 1970's and 1980's. All that knew her would say that she had a wonderful eye for decorating and presenting a lovely home around the holidays. In the early 2000s, Margaret worked as a docent at the Edventure Children's Museum in Columbia for several years. Margaret lived most recently in West Columbia, and then the last 2 and 1/2 years at White Oak Manor Nursing Home, where she passed away. Margaret loved old houses, her ancestry, decorating, cooking, antiquing, country music and shagging to classic beach songs. She also loved her Southern roots, her high school and college girlfriends, her children and her grandchildren. She will be sorely missed. Margaret is survived by her children and their spouses: Michael T. Finch Jr. MD "Mike" (Jen) of Columbia, Amy W. Finch RN (Noël Raymond) of Minneapolis, MN, and Margaret F. Harrison "Meg" (James) of Columbia. She is also survived by her grandchildren: Michael T. Finch III "Trey", Riley G. Finch, Clark W. Finch, Max J. Finch-Raymond, Phebe H. Finch-Raymond, Margaret E. Harrison "Maggie", and James B. Harrison "Burch", her sister Mary Anne Tisdale of Florida, as well as her nephews Cliff and Joe Tisdale, both also of Florida. Numerous Hallman and Watkins cousins also survive her. Margaret was predeceased by her parents, her step-mother Francis Webb Watkins, and her former husband. Visitation will take place on Friday, June 8th at 1:00 pm at the Caughman-Harman Funeral Home in Lexington, SC; followed by the service at 2:00 pm. Interment will follow after the service at the Watkins family plot at the Chappells Baptist Church cemetery in Chappells, SC. Pallbearers will be: Cliff Tisdale, Joe Tisdale, Brian Minges, Craig Langford, Bryan Hallman, Edwin Hallman, Floyd Horton and Keith Cato. The family wishes to thank the wonderful staff at White Oak Manor Nursing Home, as well as the excellent staff at SC Oncology Associates, including Dr. Steve Minter.The family also wishes to thank Drs. John Sutton, Paul Kirschenfeld and Francis Goldstein. Lastly, the family is grateful to Tidewater Hospice for the compassionate care of Margaret and her family in her final days. Memorials or donations can be made to Edventure Children's Museum in Columbia or to the charity of one’s choice.