Patricia Ann Barber-Finney

Patricia Barber-Finney Obituary

Patricia Ann Barber-Finney Hastings Patricia Ann Barber-Finney, age 65, of Hastings, passed away Wednesday September 10, 2008, after a 6 year battle with cancer, at the Good Samaritan Hospice Residence in Battle Creek. She was born on May 21, 1943 in Dothan, Alabama, the daughter of Thomas A. and Martha S. (Cooley) Barber. Pat graduated from LaGrange High School in Lake Charles, LA in 1961. She attended the University of South West LA in Lafayette, LA and graduated from Kellogg Community College with honors as a paralegal in 1977. She had worked as a bookkeeper, drafts person and as a floral department manager for Jewel Company. Her most important job was as wife and mother for 45 years 4 months and 10 days. She married Donald W. Finney April 20, 1963. Pat is survived by her husband, Donald; daughter, Kimberly Gilmore Johnson of Cantonment, Florida; son, Donald W. Finney Jr. of Hastings; granddaughter, Ashton Kinsey Gilmore of Cantonment;Florida, grandson, Tuker Finney Johnson of Cantonment, Florida; granddaughter, Willow Lee Brink of Midland, MI; and a step-granddaughter, Savannah Gilmore of Pensacola, Florida; brother, Thomas Allen Barber of Baton Rouge, Louisiana; sisters D. Cathy Kirby of Lake Charles, Louisiana and Betty Jo Kerbow of Houston, Texas. She was preceded in death by her parents, a daughter, Kelly Lynn Finney-Brink and a brother, John Barber. Pat enjoyed her family, she had a flair for flower gardening and had a passion for interior decorating. Other hobbies included shopping garage sales, flea markets and thrift stores. A memorial service will be held Saturday, September 27, 2008 at 11:00 a.m. at the Girrbach Funeral Home in Hastings. Decon James Mellen officiating. Memorials can be made to Good Samaritain Hospice Residence, 5470 Glenn Cross Rd., Battle Creek, Mi. 49015. Arrangements are by the Girrbach Funeral Home in Hastings. You may leave a message or memory to the family at (girrbachfuneral home.net).

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Battle Creek Enquirer on Sep. 24, 2008.

Memories and Condolences
for Patricia Barber-Finney

3 Entries

Lola Medina

September 25, 2008

September 14, 2008
Be Still

Be still like the grass on a melancholy summer day
Be still like desert shrub.

Be calm and you will hear your loved one speak, in the stillness, in the calm, their love resounds.

If you are still this promise I make: you will hear the voice of your loved one helping you along your way.

Tina B. Resendez (Corpus Christi, TX)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

September 13, 2008
As the days and weeks pass, and as you return to life's routine, may you continue to feel comforted by the love and support of family and friends.
Elena Hernandez (Seguin, TX)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
September 12, 2008
Pat was my friend, the rare kind of friend. One can come and go in and out of their lives as we work to meet our life's responsibilities but one knows they are always there for us, without fail.

Pat even had a room named Lola in her beautiful homes for whenever I could visit. I am sure she did that for all her friends but I felt very special and went home in better spirits.

We went to countless yard sales, much of what we bought ended up at Goodwill or The Salvation Army. She did her best to teach me how to cut glass, finish furniture, or decorate with antiques and collectibles. Somehow I always did a "good job." She did a perfect job every time, at whatever she did.

Don, Kelly, Kimberly, Donald, and her beloved grandchildren were always first in her life. Together with Don, they gave their children an additional education at home, filling in what was not available at school. Books and learning were a priority in their family life.

Pat was so funny and the smartest woman I have ever known. I will never forget her. I miss her.

Our condolences and prayers are for all her loved ones. Lola and Juan Medina
Elodia Resendez-Medina (Midland, MI)