Mavis was born November 7, 1948 in Gatesville, Texas. She was raised in Aleman to parents who faithfully brought her up in the St. Paul Lutheran Church where she was baptized, confirmed, and married.
In 8th grade she began school in Hamilton where she enjoyed many activities and loved being a Bulldog. After graduation, she attended secretarial school to become an executive secretary. Mavis excelled in the secretarial world as an administrative secretary to top level executives and was chosen as one of few to demonstrate new products to scientists and engineers for IBM in Manassas, VA.
On September 14, 1968 she married William Larry Finch at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Aleman. While her career as a secretary was fulfilling, more than anything, she longed to be home with her twins, Tonya and Jason, once they were born. After returning to IBM for a few years, she and Larry moved their family to Hamilton in 1984. She began working as the secretary to the Director of the Special Education Co-Op for the next eighteen years. Mavis then went on to work as the school secretary at her beloved alma-mater, Hamilton High School. After retirement in 2015, she recalled those years at HHS as “the most satisfying of all” because she loved the direct contact with the students and the opportunity to engage and encourage them daily.
By truly living life to its fullest, Mavis began to travel with groups who quickly became family. She was able to fulfill a lifelong wish to travel with her former pastor to Siberia, Russia twice. Always with a servant's heart, Mavis made more mission trips to Poland, Mexico, the Crow Reservation in Montana, and the Mescalero Reservation in New Mexico. She described it as an amazing cultural learning and growing experience for her and her faith.
Mavis’s ultimate desire was to be the best wife, mother, and servant to her church and community. She shared that even when she was challenged in her various roles, it was always worth it. She will be remembered by many as a loyal follower of Christ, a loving friend, a positive voice, a cheerleader for successes, and always there to share a hug.
Mavis is survived by her twin children: daughter, Tonya Kibby and husband, Clay of Bastrop; and son, Jason Finch and wife, Crystal of Hico; grandchildren, Kate and Clark Kibby; William and Samantha Finch. Also by: sisters Jean Kirkland and husband David of Wahlburg; and Arleen Neie and husband Richard of Hamilton; along with numerous nieces and nephews and a host of family and friends. She is preceded in death by her husband, Larry; and parents, Winfred and Nelda Streger.
Memorial donations can be made to Calvary Baptist Church 805 E. St. Hwy 22 Hamilton, TX 76531.
