Kathleen Tinsley Finley

Funeral services will be held 11:00 am Saturday, September 26, 2020 at Dunbar Funeral Home- Northeast Chapel with burial to follow at Greenlawn Memorial Park. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service.

A native of Columbia, Kathleen was born July 21, 1935 to Charles and Virginia Bailey Tinsley.

Kathleen enjoyed bringing happiness and laughter to those around her. She often told stories about her childhood and growing up with nine siblings. Family members fondly remember Kathleen's love for vibrant colors in clothing and coordinating her lipstick with her accessories. She was loving, caring, supportive, valued, funny, great story teller, compassionate, understanding and was determined to never let setbacks or health concerns overshadow her joy.

Most importantly, Kathleen was incredibly proud to be a mother. She loved her children and wanted to ensure their happiness. She worked many years at Whirlpool, where she retired, then began caring for others during her retirement. Kathleen’s hobbies and talents were many as she enjoyed fishing, coloring, collecting dolls, sewing, making paper dolls, shopping, and loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend.

She was a member of Calvary Baptist Church, where she was baptized and considered her baptism one of her most treasured moments. She often would wake early to get ready for church, as it was her favorite event of the week. She enjoyed worshipping, singing in the choir and visiting with her church friends. A highlight was eating lunch with her church family on Sunday after service.

Kathleen had a way to enter any room and instantly make a friend. To know her, was to love her. She enjoyed bringing laughter and joy to other's lives. Nothing was more important to her than loving, caring and providing for her family. Her infectious personality brought comfort and joy to all around her, she was incredibly witty and loved to make others laugh.

In addition to her parents, she is predeceased by her sons, David Allen Blackwell and Gregory Dean Blackwell, as well as her daughter Kathy Blackwell Jackson. Those left to cherish her memory include her son; Thomas Blackwell (Danette) of Elgin, SC, three granddaughters; Shannon DeSouza (Mark) of Chapin, SC, Mary Laney (Jordan) of Elgin, SC, Melissa Willoughby (Josh) of Columbia, SC, two grandsons; Terry Jackson , Ryan Jackson both of Lexington, SC and a proud great grandmother of six.

Memorial contributions may be made to Alzheimer's Association , 225 N. Michigan Ave., Fl. 17, Chicago, IL 60601