Carl Eugene Fincher, a Baptized Christian, passed away on August 26, 2015 at Greenwood Leflore Hospital after a brief illness with at the age of 86. Services will be 2 p.m. Friday, August 28, 2015 at Wilson & Knight Funeral Home. Visitation will be 12:30 p.m. until service time at Wilson & Knight Funeral Home. Burial will be in Odd Fellows Cemetery. Dr. Rusty Douglas will officiate.
Gene was born on August 21, 1929 in Holmes County, Mississippi to Carl Nall Fincher and Grace Smith Fincher. He was the oldest of three children.
He moved to Greenwood, Mississippi at an early age, graduated from Greenwood High School in 1947. He attended Southern Methodist University for one year, transferring to Rhodes College in Memphis, Tennessee for one year then spending the last two remaining years of his college career at University of Mississippi acquiring a degree in Business. He was a member of Kappa Alpha Fraternity.
Following college he enrolled in the U.S. Navy and upon returning to Greenwood, he entered into business with his father at Fincher's Incorporated where he grew the business for 65 years into Fincher's Gifts and Fincher's Antiques, which remain in the family and open to this day.
He married Frances Wallace "Pie" Fincher in Greenwood, Mississippi at First Methodist Church on July 13, 1955. Pie worked with Gene in their business for the next 30 years, while raising two children. Gene was active in the community coaching little league baseball, an active member of the Lions Club and the Chamber of Commerce. Gene and Pie have been actively involved in the antique business for over 50 years, treasuring their time with their family and friends, traveling and enjoying antique shows throughout the southeast. Gene was a wonderful supportive parent of his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren's activities, enjoying all their sports and lives. One of his favorite hobbies was teaching his grandchildren all about the stories and history of the antique treasures he has collected over all of the years.
Gene is survived by his wife of 60 years Frances Wallace "Pie" Fincher. His two sons, Dr. Todd Fincher and his wife Laura Yerger Fincher and Stuart Fincher, all living in Greenwood. A sister, who resides in Gulfport, Ann Callahan and her husband, Lindy. Grandchildren Kalley Fincher Barlow (Brister Barlow), Sarah Reese Fincher, Garner Fincher and Taylor Fincher. Great grandchildren Madison Barlow, Branham Barlow and Ward Campbell Barlow. Nephews and niece; Tommy Callahan, Tim Callahan and Lori Callahan Atherton.
The family would like to express their dearest appreciation to Dr. Charles Nause for his Christian and medical support, the staff at Greenwood Leflore Hospital, Kitty Pinkston and her staff members of Sta Home Health. Dorothy Harris and Rebecca Watson for their professionalism and continual support.
Pallbearers for the service are David Farrish, John Moor, T. U. Black III, Ben Kilgore, Bill Kellum, Bret Freeman, Jay Stigler and Bob Pillow Jr. Honorary pallbearer is Dr. Charles Nause.
The family request any memorials to be sent to St. Jude's in honor of Miller Calhoun and Palmer Home for Children of Columbus.