Betty R. Finkner

1921 - 2025

Betty R Finkner

October 25, 1921 - December 22, 2024

Raleigh, Georgia - Betty Rabeler Finkner died peacefully on Sunday, December 22 at Transitions Life Care Hospice in Raleigh NC. She was 103.

She was born on October 25,1921 in Savannah, GA , the daughter of Anna Jomita Kramer Rabeler and Elmore William Rabeler. She graduated from high school there and began studying dance as a young girl. She was an accomplished dancer and assisted with instruction at a studio in Savannah. She later worked in the US Army center at Ft. Benning, Ga., processing soldiers for duty overseas.

While there she met Alva Finkner, who served in the US Army in the Pacific. After his return, they married on February 17, 1946, in Savannah, and moved to Raleigh a short time later where he continued post graduate studies at NC State College. He became a professor of statistics at NCSU and later continued his career at the Research Triangle Institute.

Shortly after settling in Raleigh, they became active members of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church where their three children would be baptized and confirmed. She and Al were deeply involved in the mission of the church, and it was for Betty a commitment that would last nearly 80 years. Although she helped with many of the social ministries, student outreach and making quilts for Lutheran World Relief with her "Sisters in Service" were what she loved the most.

She learned to cook from her mother, and she enjoyed cooking for others. She learned how to care for and nurture flowering plants and shrubs from her father who she often said had the prettiest yard on the street. She had a lifelong interest in nature and could identify any bird by its color and song, and watched them at her feeders every day.

When her husband's work provided an unanticipated opportunity for travel, she embraced trips to her in-law's farm in Colorado, along with international travel to over 80 countries. She developed a deep respect and compassion for people whose lives were not as fortunate as her own.

She was curious and loved to read and passed that curiosity and her love of reading to each of us. She always had a book nearby and her bible beside her bed at night. We loved her and appreciate the innumerable values she and our father helped instill in us.

She was predeceased by her parents, her sister Dorothea Catherine Rabeler, her brother Elmore William Rabeler and her husband of 64 years, Alva.

She is survived by her three children, Patricia Lee Boyette of Columbia, MD, Stephen Glen Finkner and wife Elise of Chatham, VA and Judith Lynn Finkner of Raleigh, NC; grandchildren, Jason Brugh, Anna Finkner Lowrey and husband Peyton, Margaret Finkner Altonen and husband John, and Sarah Catherine Finkner; great-grandchildren, Alexander Stephen Lowrey, Henry Charles Lowrey, William Grey Lowrey, Jane Elise Altonen, John William Altonen V, Mollie Catherine Altonen, numerous nieces, nephews, grand-nieces and grand nephews.

The family expresses appreciation for the skilled and compassionate care she received from all those who facilitated her journey, and especially to Kaye, Connie, Doris, LaTonya, Rhonda, Shayla, Tami, and David.

A memorial service will be conducted at 11 a.m., Monday, January 13, 2025, with Pastor Adam Buff officiating, at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 2723 Clark Ave, Raleigh, NC 27607. Memorial donations may be made in Betty's memory to FIGS of Wake County, Alva L. Finkner Scholarship Endowment NC State/College of Sciences, or the beneficiary of your choice. The family is being assisted by City of Oaks Funeral Home.

God bless you Mom, we will miss you always.