Veola Fae Finley

Veola “Ve” Fae Neal Finley, 88, of Cleveland, TN, passed away on April 8, 2022.

She is preceded in death by her parents, James Oliver and Rachael Addie Jane Tidrow Neal; her sister, Vera Pierce (Noah); and her brothers: Loyd Neal (Eula), Donald Neal (Mamie), and Bob Neal (Daisy).

She leaves behind to cherish her memory her husband, Jim Finley; children, Belinda Swindle (Hank) and Kerry Finley; and five grandchildren: Rachael Blakley (Andrew), Matthew Swindle, Sara Finley, Julia Finley, and Alex Finley, and two great-grandchildren: Caroline Blakley and Caleb Blakley.

Veola and Jim met in college at Tennessee Tech. After graduation, she taught for three years before feeling called that her place was in the home. She loved being a homemaker. She made most of the clothing she and her daughter wore including her wedding gown and veil, she froze and canned their food, and kept the house and yard in good shape.

Veola was a faithful member of First Baptist Church Cleveland, which she truly loved. She taught every age group in various ministries: Sunday School, Church Training, WMU, Mission Friends, choirs, and VBS—including directing the entire VBS several years. She started volunteering as a preschool teacher when her first child was born, and she continued to teach for over 40 years. She was a preschool leader in the Baptist Association for many years, and she was a special volunteer for the Tennessee Baptist Convention by leading conferences and ”teaching teachers how to teach preschoolers.” In later years she was in the prayer ministry, and she prayed for many people daily. Veola loved people and loved helping them. Even in death she is serving others as anatomical gift to the University of Tennessee Anthropology Center.

Friends and family are invited to a Visitation on Tuesday, April 26, from 4-6pm First Baptist Church Cleveland, and a Memorial Service will follow at 6pm. In lieu of flowers, please consider honoring Veola with a contribution to the First Baptist Church Cleveland Children’s Ministry.

Companion Funeral Home and the Cody family are honored to assist the Finley family with arrangements.