Esther Davidson Finlayson

Funeral services for Mrs. Esther Davidson Finlayson, 84, Gadsden, will be held at 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, October 25, 2015, at Collier-Butler Chapel. Rev. Richard Martin and Michael Bynum will officiate with burial to follow at Forrest Cemetery. Collier-Butler Funeral and Cremation Services directing.

Mrs. Finlayson passed away on Friday, October 23, 2015.

A native of Gadsden, Esther graduated from Gadsden High School and Gadsden Business College. In 1951, she married Westbrook Finlayson, a local attorney, and raised 6 children. She served as Office Manager for her husband’s firm until his death in 1990. The following decade she worked for Gadsden Lighting. As a child, Esther surrendered her life to Jesus. From that moment on, she spent her life serving and loving others. Esther’s life wasn’t about earthly accomplishments, but about heavenly gains.

She was preceded in death by her husband, H. Westbrook Finalyson, Sr.; parents, Fred (Irene) Davidson; and siblings, Fred Davidson, Pete Davidson, Jack Davidson, Buster Davidson, Millie Barina and Ina Chunn.

Esther is survived by her children, H. Westbrook Finlayson, Jr. (Jennifer), (Don) Jennie Rakestraw, (Robby) Irene Elrod, David Finlayson (Gina), Cindy Finlayson, and (Dan) Florrie Noojin; grandchildren, (Chris) Liz Wood, West Finlayson, Charity Rakestraw Carney, (Phillip) Foster Hays, Carrie Elrod, Wes Elrod (Kristen), Katie Finlayson, Kelsey Finlayson, and (Ian) Sara Bragg; great-grandchild, Tom Hays; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers will be Jeremy Rainey, Wes Elrod, Chris Wood, Phillip Hays, Jeremy Smith and Todd Bagley.

Honorary pallbearers will be Burt Miller, Ron Catoe, Jim Bentley

Memorial contributions may be made to the Order of St. Luke, 3108 Sansom Avenue, Gadsden, Alabama 35904, CC: Rev. Richard Martin.

A special thank you is extended to Dr. Jarrod Warren, Dr. Stephen Higgins, and nurses at Gadsden Regional Medical Center.

The family will receive friends on Saturday evening from 6-8 p.m. at the funeral home.