Ida Tester Finney, 98, to join his heavenly choir on October 10, 2007. Mrs. Finney was a native of Watauga County, NC. She was the daughter of the late Finley and Cameoline Tester. She had been a member of the Butler community for the past 87 years.

Mrs. Finney was a homemaker and lovingly raised 8 children. She was known throughout the area for many years as a member of the Redeemed Quartet, whom she has rejoined and is singing with now. Mrs. Finney was also known for her wit and contributed to the Poga Gazette. She loved her doll collection which was featured in an article for The Elizabethton Star several years ago.

Generations of Butler residents have enjoyed her cooking during Halloween and at picnics, reunions and church homecomings. Mrs. Finney loved the Lord. She was the oldest member of Elk River Baptist Church in Butler. For many, many years, she taught children Bible stories, crafts and the love of Jesus at the church. In Heaven, Mrs. Finney is reunited with her husband, Donald Finney, her son, D. C. Finney, her daughter, Bonnie Whitehead, a cherished son-in-law, Donnie Davenport, seven brothers, four sisters, and countless friends and other relatives.

She leaves behind a loving family who will miss her greatly. They include three daughters, Peggy Davenport, Butler, Lena Lewis, Norton OH, Shirley Guy, Boone, NC, a daughter and son-in-law, Shelby and Smith Davenport, Hampton and two sons and daughters-in-law, Bill and Sue Finney, Bobbie and Barbara Finney, all of Butler. She was ?Mammaw? to 22 grandchildren: Carolyn Davis, Robert Finney, Connie Morefield, Kay Ellis, Ricky Finney, Bobby Gene Finney, Chucky Finney, Jerome Finney, Jeff Finney, Keith Finney, Darlene Lunsford, Randy Lewis, Kenny Lewis, Angie McNeil, Steven Davenport, Kim Reigle, Kristi Davenport, Chris Davenport, Carl Lee Davenport and Jason Davenport. She was also survived by one sister, Ruth Jones, Johnson City, one brother, William Howard Tester, Morristown and one special sister-in-law, Edith Finney, Elizabethton. She also had 31 great-grandchildren, 3 step-great-grandchildren, 16 great-great-grandchildren, and one great-great-great-grandchild. Several nieces and nephews also survive.

The funeral service for Mrs. Finney will be conducted at 2 p.m. Saturday, October 13 in Elk River Baptist Church with Rev. Charles Cable, Rev. Quincy Norris and Rev. Ray Greene officiating. Music will be under the direction of the Sugar Grove Quartet and Janice Cable, pianist. Interment will follow in the Whitehead Cemetery. Active pallbearers will be Mrs. Finney's grandsons. Honorary pallbearers will be Howard Campbell, Herman Burchett, Jan Tillman, Paul Campbell, members of Elk River Baptist Church and Harmony Baptist Church and her nurse, Gail. The family will receive friends from 12:30 until 2 p.m. Saturday at the church prior to the service. Friends may also call at the residence of a daughter, Peggy Davenport, 110 Howard Campbell Rd., Butler, at other times. Those who prefer memorials in lieu of flowers may make donations to the Fellowship Hall Building fund at Elk River Baptist Church, 5117 Hwy. 321, Butler, TN 37640