Margaret McKee Finley

Margaret McKee Finley passed away peacefully on January 26, 2022, in her 97th year. She was a lifelong resident of Greenville, SC, and the daughter of the late William Henry McKee, and Annie McConnell McKee. She was the beloved wife of Fred Jones Finley for 68 years, until his death in 2012.

Margaret was a renaissance woman, with an unquenchable thirst for learning. She loved the written word, the spoken word, and had an even deeper love for the Word of God. She devoted most of her life to studying, teaching, and sharing what God had shown her through His word.

Margaret had many talents, unknown to most people. She was a self-taught pianist, had a beautiful soprano voice, was a writer, a poet, and was naturally artistic. She was very competitive, and would beat everyone at Scrabble, along with giving the definition and origin of each and every word. A true wordsmith.

Margaret was witty, strong willed, determined, giving, provided for those in need, and was always an advocate for equality. Her greatest passion was for her four children. We didn’t care for her strict rules growing up, but as we aged, we realized the many gifts she had given us. She taught us the strong and passionate side of love, and our wonderful father taught us the soft and tender side of love. It was the perfect combination, grounded in the Love of God.

In addition to her husband, and parents, Margaret was preceded in death by her infant brother, Robert McKee, and three sisters, Elizabeth Ramey Anders, Blanche Ficklin, and Doris Seeger.

Surviving are two sons, Wayne Finley (Davie), Robert Finley (Kim), two daughters, Susan Hanover (Tod), all of Greenville, and Kathy Whitmire (Jackie), of Toccoa, Ga. Also surviving are four grandchildren, Kristy Thomson (John Lee), Justin Whitmire (Brandi), Zach Finley (Andrea), and Jody Finley (Shanna). She leaves ten great grandchildren, and one great, great grandchild. Margaret is also survived by her youngest sister, Helen Kazan, of Manville, Rhode Island.

Our family has love and gratitude for mom’s longtime caregivers, Annette, Tan, LaGeana, Tasha, and Stephanie.

The funeral service will be held Tuesday, February 1, 2022, at 12:00 at Mackey Mortuary at Woodlawn. The family will receive friends from 11:00 am to 11:45 am.

Burial will follow the service in Woodlawn Memorial Park.

Contributions in honor of Margaret’s life may be made to Meals on Wheels, 15 Oregon Street, Greenville, SC, 29605. Online condolences may be made at www.mackeywoodlawn.com.