Mrs. Phena Fincher, age 95, passed away on Tuesday March 5, 2024, in Texarkana with her daughter by her side. She was born on November 22, 1928, in Laneburg, Arkansas to Emanuel Hugh Daniel and Nora Pearl Callicott Daniel. She graduated from Laneburg Central High School at the age of 16 in 1945, graduated from Henderson State Teachers College while maintaining an image in many groups including being chosen a Henderson Campus Beauty two years, president of Alpha Sigma Alpha sorority, Heart and Key, Kappa Delta Pi, Pan-Hellenic Council, Beta Mu Omicron, Student Christian Association, Young Women’s Christian Association, International Relations Club, Upsilon Phi, Phi Lambda Chi sweetheart, Women’s Council, Masquer’s Club, Vice-President of Junior Class, and Who’s Who in American Colleges and Universities. In 1948 she was crowned Miss Prescott and subsequently competed in the Miss Arkansas pageant. She attended George Peabody in Nashville, TN in 1950 to study library science, and graduated from Whittenberg University in Ohio with her master’s in education in 1962.
Mrs. Fincher began her teaching career at the age of 20, teaching at White Hall High in Pine Bluff, AR, Laneburg Central High in Laneburg, AR, Waldo School in Waldo, AR, and TX A&M College Library in College Station, TX, New Carlisle-Bethel School in New Carlisle, OH, and Bethel Local School in Tipp City, OH.
She was president of the Women of the Chapel, Camp New Amsterdam, Holland, a Girl Scout Leader, and Red Cross volunteer. She loved to play the piano for revival at churches and at nursing homes in Prescott.
In 1953 Phena married Donald Fincher of Waldo, Arkansas. Their love was blessed with two children, Daniel Blake and Donna Phaye. Her husband was a career pilot in the United States Air Force, and the family enjoyed assignments in Alabama, Texas, Ohio, The Netherlands, and Florida. Phena embraced fully whatever was offered, whether it was camping, international travel, or moving yet again as a military spouse. She did so without complaint and with joy. This spirit of joy remained with her her entire life. Phena and Don shared an inspiring love for God, for each other, and for their children. Together they taught Sunday School classes, participated in scouting activities, and inspired others with their example of deep love for each other. In 1970 Phena and the children settled in Laneburg, Arkansas after Don’s plane went down in Thailand. Widowed at 41, she remained a pillar of strength, devoting herself to raising two teenagers, being active in the church, and being of service to others. She established a scholarship at SAU in memory of Don, to assist students in pursuing their educational aspirations.
Phena was devoted to God and the church, living and breathing her Christianity. A faithful member of FUMC Prescott since 1970, she was a lifetime member of United Methodist Women, a member of Share Group, the Alma Eagle Sunday School class, was an outstanding Sunday School teacher, and enthusiastically served on committees. She loved writing notes of encouragement and support, and her beautiful handwriting was the envy of everyone who received one of her gracious notes. She loved her three grandchildren, making memories with them by baking cookies, reading with them, playing in the sand box, supervising them in golf cart antics, and placing before them plates of homemade cinnamon rolls for breakfast, and steaming hot chicken pie for dinner.
Phena loved gardening and yardwork, regularly sharing her bounty of vegetables with the community, carrying bouquets of flowers to cheer others, and maintaining a yard well known throughout the area for its color and beauty. She was a lifetime avid needleworker, enjoyed sewing, crochet, embroidery, and was a hand quilter extraordinaire. Talented but humble, she was at home both as a beauty queen and as a good steward of God’s creation. Phena leaves a legacy of having left the world a better place due to the life that she lived. She was preceded by father Hugh Daniel, mother Nora Callicott Daniel, brothers Greer Daniel of Camden, Hazel Daniel Grimsley of Emmet, EH Daniel of Laneburg, Faye Daniel of Laneburg. Survivors include son Daniel Fincher of Rogers, AR, daughter Donna Fincher Corb of Cortez, CO, grandchildren Emily Fincher-Bruck of Denver, CO, Ryan Corb of Mancos, CO, David Fincher of Philadelphia, PA, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and close friends.
Sincere thanks to the staff of Hospice of Texarkana who provided professional, exceptional, loving care, and were impacted by her joy and kindness. In their words, Phena was “a saint”.
In lieu of flowers, we request that donations be made to Hospice of Texarkana Foundation at 2407 Galleria Oaks, Texarkana, TX 75503, or First United Methodist Church of Prescott, PO Box 745, Prescott, AR 71857, or to a charity of your choice.
Visitation will be held on Sunday March 10, 2024, from 1:00 to 2:00 PM at First United Methodist Church of Prescott. Funeral service will start at 2:00 PM at the First United Methodist Church. Burial will follow at Waldo Cemetery in Waldo, AR.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of BRAZZEL Cornish the Funeral Home of Prescott. Online condolences can be made at www.brazzelfuneralhomes.com