Mary H. Finley

Mary Henderson Powell Finley

Mary Henderson Powell Finley of the Presbyterian Communities of South Carolina (in Clinton) was called Home to the Lord at age 99 on May 27, 2013 in the Laurens County Hospital. Mrs. Finley was born in Newberry County on September 28, 1913 the daughter of Helen Hardy and Hugh M. Henderson. She attended public schools, graduated from Whitmire High School in 1930, and from Winthrop College in 1933. In 1934 she graduated from the College of William and Mary School of Social Work in Richmond, VA. She received a Masters Degree in Social Work from Howard University in Washington, DC in 1951.
Her career in social work began in 1934 and spanned the development of the social work profession to private practice in 1969. She was with the Federal Relief Administration in Richmond and Norfolk, VA from 1934 through 1935. She was in Washington, DC from 1935-1969. She served on the staff of Travelers aid Society from 1935 to mid 1944 as a social worker, supervisor of graduate social work students, volunteers and social workers. She joined the staff of the Family Service Association to work directly with individuals and families from 1945-1949. She accepted a position with the Home Service American Red Cross as social worker, became supervisor of volunteers and social workers, graduate social worker students, and assistant director during 1950-1956. She returned to the Family Service Association from 1956-1969 to work directly with individuals and families. Upon retirement in 1969, she returned to her native South Carolina and joined the Spartanburg Mental Health as a Psychiatric Social Worker. In 1970 she became Director of Social Service at Whitten Center, Clinton, SC, until retiring in 1973.
In 1973 she became active with the Republican Party because of her belief in a two party system. She joined the Laurens County Republican Party as a member of Clinton II Precinct, in 1973. She served in various official positions in Clinton, Mountville, and Laurens County where she became chairman of the Fifth District. She remained a member of the South Carolina and the National Republican Party for years. In 2000, she became active with the Republican Congressional Committee, Republican Senatorial Committee, the Heritage Foundation, the Media Research Center, the National Right to Work, the Leadership Institute, Traditional Values and other conservative causes.


Mrs. Finley remained a member of the Presbyterian Church in Clinton from 1973. When she moved to Mountville in 1985, she also attended the Baptist and Presbyterian Churches.
She was predeceased by her former husband Milton Powell on April 21, 1981 and by her last husband Willie Hance Finley on June 1, 1999 (married in December 1985). Her step-children are Robert Hance Finley (Avis) of Barnwell, SC and Rebecca Finley Snyder (Charles) of Birmingham, Alabama. Her step-grandchildren are Robert Hance Finley Jr. (Belinda) of Greenville, SC; Kathleen Finley Flaherty (Kevin) of August, GA; Brian Hayes (MiYoun) of Trenton, NJ; Derek Hayes (Megan) of Minneapolis, Minnesota and Lisa Hayes Clark (Andrew) of Roxbury, Connecticut. Her step-great grandchildren are Erin Wooten; Robert Hance Finley III; Gretchen Finley; Alexandra Hayes (Minn.); Polaris and Praslin Hayes (NJ) and Finley Clark.
She is also survived by her niece and God-Child Mary Gail Walker Zirkle of Raleigh, NC; nephews Nathaniel “Gill” Walker of Greenville, SC; Haywood Hardy “Woody” Henderson of Memphis, TN; nieces Betsy Henderson Wilson of Jacksonville, FL; Ann McLain of Osprey, Florida; Lyn Henderson Farbacher of New Orleans, LA; Cindy Henderson McGhee of Charlotte, NC and by great nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her sisters Addie Henderson Walker, Frances Henderson Moore and three brothers: Hugh M. Henderson, Haywood H. Henderson and William Dixon “Bill” Henderson.
A burial service will be at the old Henderson Graveyard on Henderson Road in Newberry County at 1:00 pm on Saturday June 1, 2013. (Directions to the graveyard will be available from the Gray Funeral Home in Clinton). Funeral services will follow in the Chapel at the First Presbyterian Church, Clinton, SC at 3:00 pm with visitation following the funeral.
Her grace, beauty, wisdom and love will be greatly missed.
Memorials may be made to Presbyterian Home of South Carolina Health Care Center, 801 Musgrove Street, Clinton, SC 29325; First Presbyterian Church, PO Box, Clinton, SC 29325; Presbyterian Church, PO Box 146, Mountville, SC 29360; or Mountville Baptist Church, PO Box 484, Mountville, SC 29360.
Condolences may be expressed to family at www.grayfuneralhome.com
Gray Funeral Home, Clinton,SC