Lt. Col. Edward Smoot Finley: Appalachian Aristocracy

1916 - 2011 (95 years)

Generation: 1

Lt. Col. Edward Smoot Finley was born 06 Apr 1916, Alexandria, VA (son of Edward Gordon Finley and Sibyl Harriet Smoot); died 20 Jul 2011, Wilkes Co. NC; was buried , Mountlawn Memorial Park, North Wilkesboro Wilkes Co. NC.

Notes:

OBITUARY:

From Find A Grave:

Edward Smoot Finley, Lt. Col U. S. Air force (ret) died on July 20, 2011. He was born April 6, 1916 in Alexandria, Virginia, son of Edward G. and Sibyl Smoot Finley.

A graveside service with military honors by Post #1142 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Honor Guard was held Saturday, July 23, 2011at Mountlawn Memorial Park. A memorial service followed at North Wilkesboro Presbyterian Church with Rev. Dr. Benjamin Trawick officiating.

He grew up in North Wilkesboro, NC where he attended North Wilkesboro public schools. He graduated from Davidson College, class of 1937. Afterwards, he returned to North Wilkesboro where he was employed by Meadows Mill Company until being ordered to active duty with Army Air Force in June, 1941. On May 2, 1942 he married Elizabeth Stewart Heath who preceded him in death in 2008 after 66 years of marriage.

During World War II, he served in China Theater of Operation, commanding air bases in Sian, Ankang and Pai-Shi under the ultimate command of Gen Claire Chennault attaining the rank of Lt. Colonel. Returning to civilian life in 1946, he was again employed by Meadows Mill Company as Secretary-Treasurer and General manager.

He served at Chairman of the North Wilkesboro Board of Education from 1957 to 1967; President of Wilkes Jaycees; North Wilkesboro Lions Club; Vice President of Wilkes Chamber of Commerce; Treasurer of Friends of the Wilkes County Library. In North Wilkesboro Presbyterian Church, he has served as Deacon, receiving treasurer, Elder and Clerk of Session and Boy Scout Leader. He was a member of the Board of Visitors of Davidson College and its Ne Ultra Society. He raised cattle and trees on his Brushy Mountain Farm.

He is survived by Edward S. Finley, Jr. and wife, Virginia Doughton Finley; Ann Finley Reynolds and husband, Fairfax C. Reynolds; five grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

Buried:
Grave location, obituary,portrait and tombstone photo:
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=124618517

Edward married Elizabeth Stewart Heath. Elizabeth was born 02 Oct 1920, Union Co. NC; died 01 Aug 2008, North Carolina; was buried , Mountlawn Memorial Park, North Wilkesboro Wilkes Co. NC. [Group Sheet]

Children:

Generation: 2

Edward Gordon Finley was born 09 Sep 1884, Wautauga Co. NC (son of James Edward Finley and Julia Elizabeth Gwyn); died 05 Jan 1962, Wilkes Co. NC; was buried , Mountlawn Memorial Park, North Wilkesboro Wilkes Co. NC.

Notes:

Buried:
Grave location, death certificate, and tombstone photo:
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=43673771

Edward married Sibyl Harriet Smoot. Sibyl was born 29 Jan 1888, Alexander Co. NC; died 18 Oct 1962, Wilkes Co. NC; was buried , Mountlawn Memorial Park, North Wilkesboro Wilkes Co. NC. [Group Sheet]

Sibyl Harriet Smoot was born 29 Jan 1888, Alexander Co. NC; died 18 Oct 1962, Wilkes Co. NC; was buried , Mountlawn Memorial Park, North Wilkesboro Wilkes Co. NC.

Notes:

Buried:
Grave location, death certificate and tombstone photo:
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=43673945

Children:

Julia Gwyn Finley was born 08 Apr 1912, Alexandria, VA; died 01 Feb 1997, Florence Co. SC; was buried , Mount Zion Presbyterian Cemetery, Bishopville, Lee Co. SC.
1. Lt. Col. Edward Smoot Finley was born 06 Apr 1916, Alexandria, VA; died 20 Jul 2011, Wilkes Co. NC; was buried , Mountlawn Memorial Park, North Wilkesboro Wilkes Co. NC.
Capt. Robert Wood Finley was born 20 Oct 1920, Wilkes Co. NC; died 07 Mar 1945, KIA World War II, Germany; was buried , Henri-Chapelle American Cemetery and Memorial Henri-Chapelle Arrondissement de Verviers Liège, Belgium.

Generation: 3

James Edward Finley was born 08 Aug 1850, Wilkes Co. NC (son of Augustus Washington Finley and Martha Lenoir Gordon); died 30 Oct 1923, Wilkes Co. NC; was buried , Greenwood Cemetery, North Wilkesboro, Wilkes Co. NC.

Notes:

Buried:
Grave location and tombstone photo:
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=25524701

James married Julia Elizabeth Gwyn. Julia was born 26 Jun 1859, Surry Co. NC; died 28 Feb 1909, Wilkes Co. NC; was buried , Greenwood Cemetery, North Wilkesboro, Wilkes Co. NC. [Group Sheet]

Julia Elizabeth Gwyn was born 26 Jun 1859, Surry Co. NC; died 28 Feb 1909, Wilkes Co. NC; was buried , Greenwood Cemetery, North Wilkesboro, Wilkes Co. NC.

Notes:

Buried:
Grave location and tombstone photo:
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=25541327

Children:

2. Edward Gordon Finley was born 09 Sep 1884, Wautauga Co. NC; died 05 Jan 1962, Wilkes Co. NC; was buried , Mountlawn Memorial Park, North Wilkesboro Wilkes Co. NC.
Mary Louise Finley was born 10 Apr 1887, Wilkes Co. NC; died 04 Jul 1950, Wilkes Co. NC; was buried , Mountlawn Memorial Park, North Wilkesboro Wilkes Co. NC.
Richard Gwyn Finley was born 26 Jan 1895, Wilkes Co. NC; died 04 Feb 1992, Wilkes Co. NC; was buried , Mountlawn Memorial Park, North Wilkesboro Wilkes Co. NC.

Generation: 4

Augustus Washington Finley was born 13 Jul 1813, Wilkes Co. NC (son of John Finley and Sarah Eleanor (Ellen) TATE); died 30 Dec 1889, Wilkes Co. NC; was buried , Presbyterian Cemetery, Wilkes Co. NC.

Notes:

Buried:
Grave location, portrait, and tombstone photo:
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=67116581

Augustus married Martha Lenoir Gordon. Martha was born 26 Feb 1821, Wilkes Co. NC; died 25 Jul 1898, Wilkes Co. NC; was buried , Presbyterian Cemetery, Wilkes Co. NC. [Group Sheet]

Martha Lenoir Gordon was born 26 Feb 1821, Wilkes Co. NC; died 25 Jul 1898, Wilkes Co. NC; was buried , Presbyterian Cemetery, Wilkes Co. NC.

Notes:

She was the sister of CSA Brigadier General James Byron Gordon.

Buried:
Grave location, portrait, and tombstone photo:
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=67117529

Children:

Sarah Ellen Finley was born 04 Apr 1843, Wilkes Co. NC; died 20 Mar 1907, Staunton, VA; was buried , Thornrose Cemetery, Staunton, VA.
Martha Octavia Finley was born 04 Aug 1844, Wilkes Co. NC; died Jun 1888, Wilkes Co. NC; was buried , Presbyterian Cemetery, Wilkes Co. NC.
Ann Eliza Finley was born 10 Jan 1848, Wilkes Co. NC; died 20 Jun 1862, Wilkes Co. NC; was buried , Presbyterian Cemetery, Wilkes Co. NC.
4. James Edward Finley was born 08 Aug 1850, Wilkes Co. NC; died 30 Oct 1923, Wilkes Co. NC; was buried , Greenwood Cemetery, North Wilkesboro, Wilkes Co. NC.
John George Finley was born 05 Jan 1853, Wilkes Co. NC; died 24 Oct 1898, Wilkes Co. NC; was buried , Presbyterian Cemetery, Wilkes Co. NC.
Arthur Augustus Finley was born 26 Oct 1859, Yadin Co. NC; died 16 Mar 1938, Wilkes Co. NC; was buried , Greenwood Cemetery, North Wilkesboro, Wilkes Co. NC.
Judge Thomas Brown Finley was born 06 Nov 1862, Wilkes Co. NC; died 03 Apr 1942, Wilkes Co. NC; was buried , Greenwood Cemetery, North Wilkesboro, Wilkes Co. NC.
Carrie Gordon Finley was born 26 Oct 1866, Wilkes Co. NC; died 03 Mar 1920, Wilkes Co. NC; was buried , Greenwood Cemetery, North Wilkesboro, Wilkes Co. NC.