Finley Ann Stith James
Finley Ann Stith James of Darlington, South Carolina passed away Thursday, July 20, 2023. Mrs. James was born August 19, 1946, in Florence, South Carolina, the daughter of Dr. Robert B. Stith and Finley Plunkett Stith. After the death of her father as a young man, Finley’s mother married Marion D. Lucas, Jr., a wonderful stepfather. Finley graduated from McClenaghan High School in Florence and Salem College in Winston Salem, North Carolina. She made lifelong friends, many of whom were in touch during her life ending struggle with Parkinson’s. She married Albert L. James, III of Darlington on April 12, 1969, and after Mr. James’ service in the U.S. Army ended in 1970, they lived a wonderful life in Darlington until the time of her death. Finley and Albert were parents of three children, Finley Lucas James Hardy (Tim), Marion Graham James Segars (David), and Albert Law James, IV (Harper). With five grandchildren, Finley Foss Hardy, Annie Alexander James, David McCarver Segars, Jr., Eliza Graham Segars, and Albert Law James, V.
Finley taught school for a time at St. John’s High School at Darlington and was for more than 20 years the office and events manager at the Darlington Country Club. She retired to be with her parents, children, and five grandchildren, whom she adored. Finley was a member of several historic women’s organizations, Over The Teacups, The Assembly of Florence, and The National Society of the Colonial Dames, and she was a leader in the Darlington Presbyterian Church as a teacher, choir member, Deacon, Elder, and officer of Women of the Church Ministries. Finley was an excellent artist and enjoyed painting and flower arranging. She was an exceptional mother, wife, and friend, and loved nothing more than serving the many people she loved. Her family, friends and community were blessed by her care, devotion, leadership, and joyful Christian spirit.
Finley is survived by her sisters, Sheryl Stith Kenyon, and Ruth Lucas Hinton (Jack), and her brother The Rev. Marion D. Lucas, III (Ashley), her sister-in-law, Barbara H. Stith, and her brother-in-law, John Jay James, II. She was predeceased by her brother, Robert Boyd Stith, III, and brother-in-law John Alan Kenyon.
The family is grateful for the love and support given to Finley by her faithful caregivers including Lera Isaac and Mary Boatwright.
A funeral service will be held to honor her life at 11:30a.m. on Wednesday, July 26, 2023 at Darlington Presbyterian Church with the Rev. Kevin Cauley officiating. The family will receive friends prior to the service in the McCown Building beginning at 10:30a.m. A private burial will be held immediately following the service at Grove Hill Cemetery.
Memorials may be made in her honor to Darlington Presbyterian Church, 311 Pearl Street Darlington, SC 29532.
