Christine Paschke Finley, Florence, left this world on Sept. 10, 2013, at 87 years of age. Christine Ann was born Aug. 2, 1926, in Columbus, Ark. as the sixth child of Edgar and Pearl Paschke. Times were tough and the family moved frequently to where Edgar (a wood mill operator) could find work.
Love for each other and for music saved the family from poverty and desolation. Four of Christine’s older siblings taught themselves how to play instruments and they formed the band “Jack and Jill and Their Pals” and started bringing in money to help support the family. They were very popular performing big band and popular music at various events in Missouri, Arkansas and Colorado and live on a radio show in Colorado in the early to mid 1930s. They taught little Christine to play the mandolin and she performed a Shirley Temple style song and tap dance routine. Christine loved performing.
Christine’s father relocated the family one last time to the Shoals area just in time for Christine to spend her last two years of high school at Coffee High School and graduate with the class of 1944. After graduation, she lived and worked in Panama City Beach, Tuscaloosa, Birmingham and Atlanta. While living in Atlanta at the age of 25, she contracted TB and was forced to live in a quarantine facility for three years. After her release, she was confined to home by the doctors for another four years. After that, Christine got her work life started again by entering Larimore Business School which landed her a job as secretary for Otis Peacock, the Administrative Assistant to the President at Florence State Teacher’s College. Mr. Peacock thought a lot of his new hire, and he also thought a lot of a certain professor named John Finley Jr., so he arranged for them to work together on projects he was overseeing. Turns out Mr. Peacock knew what he was doing. The project turned into dating, engagement and ultimately a very happy marriage that lasted 37 years until John passed away.
Christine was a devoted member of Wood Avenue Church of Christ until bad health took that joy away. Christine loved the Lord with all her heart, and her faith was unshakeable even when life kept dealing harsh blow after harsh blow. She was a big supporter of Christian missions and Christian education.
Christine deeply loved her family and friends. She felt very fortunate to have her mother live with her for the last 20 years of her life. She loved being a mother to her daughter as well as her two treasured stepsons. The times she got to be with her grandchildren were a true joy. Christine loved to entertain and everybody loved to come to her house, because she was such a great cook. When Christine’s days of entertaining ended due to poor health, she gained a lot of enjoyment from reading, listening to her music, talking to her nieces, Carolyn, Jan and Jackie, on the phone and from her beloved little canine, Molli Catherine, who made her laugh all the time.
To know Christine was to love her. Her genuine sweetness showed on her face, in the kind way she spoke and in the unselfish and generous spirit she demonstrated to everyone who was lucky enough to know her. She loved unconditionally. She was like sunshine to your soul! She will be missed more than words can say!
Christine was preceded in death by her husband, John Finley Jr.; her parents, Edgar Halbert and Pearl Sanders Paschke; brothers, Robert Paschke, Paul Paschke and Jack Paschke; sisters, Marguerite Youngblood and Jill Meadows; niece, Carolyn Youngblood; and great-nephew, Marc Monarez.
Christine is survived by her daughter, Lisa Christine Finley; stepsons, John Thomas Finley and Charles Coleman Finley (Susan); grandsons, Matt (Kathy) Finley, Andy Finley and Brian Finley; granddaughters, Shannon (David) Kieske and Kate Finley; and five great-grandchildren; niece, Jackie Welsh; nephews, Ray (Beth) Paschke, Gary (Jan) Youngblood and Jonathan (Carolyn) Taylor; and many great and great-great-nieces and nephews.
Visitation is Sunday, Sept. 22, 2013, from 1-3 p.m. at Greenview Memorial with the funeral service following at 3 p.m. Immediately following will be the burial in Tri-Cities Memorial Gardens. Officiating will be Miles Stutts and Kenneth Davis.
Pallbearers will be Barry Bishop, Tyler Bishop, Greg Boren, Greg Hamm, Trey Harrison, Charlie Lauderdale, Chris Posey and James Senn.
Special thanks to Dr. Bob Mann, Dr. Felix Morris and all the sweet, dedicated ECM ICU nurses.
Memorials may be made to Heritage Christian University or Mars Hill Bible School.
Arrangements by Greenview Funeral Home.
