Mary Fitts Finch

Dr. Finch was born in Henry County, VA on Sept. 15, 1914 to Tandy Walker and Nonie Farmer Fitts. She received her BA Degree from NC Wesleyan, Rocky Mount, NC “Cum Laude” in two majors, English and Spanish. She also received an Honorary Dr. Degree from N.C. Wesleyan. Her studies continued with a Certificate of study abroad at the Universidad of Valencia, Espana; a MA Degree from UNC at Chapel Hill in 1970 and continued studies abroad at the University of Sevilla in 1970.

Dr. Finch did her Doctoral study at the University of NC-Chapel Hill and continued research at the Abadia de Monserratt, Espana. In 1972 she began her career in teaching English and Spanish at Ferrum College in Rocky Mount, VA. There she sponsored various endeavors, such as Foreign Language Emphasis, Hispanic Week, Spanish Club, and Alpha Mu Gamma.

Dr. Finch served on various committees: Campus Programs, Library, Academic Procedures, Grievance, and Honor Council. She was a member of DAR, Martinsville, VA Chapter and on Dec. 17, 1983 she became a life member of the First Flight Society, Dare County, Manteo, NC.

Dr. Finch traveled extensively to conferences and read Papers at the 25th Annual Mountain Interstate Foreign Language Conference in 1975 in Boone; the Joint Bicentennial Meeting of Virginia AAT Chapters and FLAVA in Williamsburg in 1976; the Twenty-seventh Annual Mountain Interstate Foreign Language Conference at Johnson City, TN in 1977; the Hispanic Symposium, Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Indiana, PA in 1978; and the Nineteenth Annual Foreign Language Conference Virginia Department of Education in Williamsburg, VA in 1980.

Among her other professional experiences, Dr. Finch served as Assistant Professor of Spanish Summers of 1972-78 at Atlantic Christian College, Wilson, N.C. After retiring, she lived briefly in Manteo, NC and taught Spanish Classes to servicemen who were being sent to South America.

She and her late husband were members of First Baptist Church in Rocky Mount, NC and later became Charter Members of Lakeside Baptist Church in Rocky Mount. Dr. Finch was preceded in death by her husband, Hugh Gordon Finch, her son Hugh Manley Finch, her parents, a sister Nonie Hughes, her brother Tandy Walker Fitts, and her Great Grandson John Braxton Andrews.

Surviving are her daughter, Kay Finch Patseavouras of High Point, four Grandchildren: Karen Patseavouras, Kathryn Patseavouras Giles and her husband Stephen, and Kristina Patseavouras Andrews, all of High Point and Manley Russell Finch of Columbia SC. There are ten great grandchildren.

Her family remembers her as follows, “Life with Grandmother was always an adventure. She was all of our inspiration for what we can overcome and achieve.”

A Memorial Service /Graveside Service for Dr. Finch will be held at a later date in the spring in Rocky Mount, NC. Memorials may be directed to Lakeside Baptist Church, 1501 Sunset Avenue, Rocky Mount, NC 27804.

Please offer condolences with the family at www.sechrestfunerals.com.