Funeral services for Sara Alice Finnell were conducted Feb. 21 from the chapel of Crest Lawn Funeral Home of Cookeville. Burial followed at Crest Lawn Memorial Cemetery. Brother Charlie Hutchinson of First Baptist officiated. Mrs. Finnell was born Dec. 17, 1930, in Tupelo, MS, to the late Rex and Lucy Burns. After a career as wife and mother in Tupelo, she resumed her undergraduate studies at Memphis State University, graduating with a degree in psychology in 1972. After moving to Cookeville with her husband, Dr. William S. Finnell, she continued her education at Tennessee Technological University, receiving her master's degree in Guidance and Counseling in 1974, with additional post-graduate work at Middle Tennessee State University. She then earned her license as a psychological examiner in clinical psychology. Mrs. Finnell began her professional career at Tennessee Tech and Cumberland University, holding faculty and counseling positions. In 1987, she established the Therapeutic Behavior Center in Cookeville. In her private practice, she guided hundreds of clients through the crises of their lives, counseling individuals and groups in personal difficulties ranging from substance abuse to marital problems. Mrs. Finnell's special interest, and the focus of many of her public and private efforts, was guiding women through the unique problems they face as the role of women in our society and culture changes dramatically. She believed strongly that each person she met had great value, and she worked to impart that belief to each client. Her activities with local industries and clubs were designed to empower each of us to have a safe, happy, productive and fulfilling life. Survivors include her husband, Dr. William S. Finnell; sons and daughters-in-law, Barry and Sandra Spearman of Monterey and David and Jeannette Spearman of Tupelo; stepson and wife, David and Linda Finnell of London, England; stepdaughter and husband, JoAnne and Art Peters of Dayton, Ohio; grandchildren, Amber Spencer (Steven), Blake Spearman (Suzanne) and Christina Spearman, all of Tupelo, and Shane Finnell (Angela) and Nathan Finnell of Columbia, SC; great-granddaughters, Rachel Spencer and Isabella Spearman of Tupelo; brothers, James E. Burns (Ellie) of Moss Point, MS and Robert Burns of Memphis; nieces and their families, Arleen Pettus of Brandon, MS, and Doris Cloud of the Woodlands, Texas. In addition to her parents, Mrs. Finnell was preceded in death by her sister, Elizabeth Stubbs of New Orleans. Crest Lawn Funeral Home of Cookeville was in charge of the arrangements.
(Published February 22, 2005 by the Crossville Chronicle, Cumberland County TN)