NELWYN FARGESON FINLEY STALLINGS

      Nelwyn Finley Stallings passed away April 25, 2006 in Kennewick, Washington, surrounded by her loving family.  She was born Nelwyn Louise Fargeson to Enid and Charles Fargeson, on September 23, 1919, in Longstreet, Louisiana.

      Nelwyn Nell grew up in Longstreet with two sisters, Mary and Lillian.  She attended college at John Brown University in Siloam Springs, Arkansas.  She graduated from Norton Business College in Shreveport, Louisiana after living with her Aunt Etoile and Uncle Lester and cousins, Lessie and Katherine.  Nell was payroll supervisor at Barksdale Air Force Base in Shreveport when she met and married Captain William M. Finley, Jr. Bill in 1945.  They moved from Shreveport to Bill’s hometown, Pampa, Texas, where Bill worked for Texas Oil.  Their two sons, William and Robert were born in Pampa.

      Nell’s family moved to Antlers, Oklahoma, in 1948, and their daughter, Patricia Ann, was born.  While Nell was devoted to her family, she was also involved in many community activities and the First United Methodist Church.  She helped establish a public library in Antlers.  She was a founding member of the local chapter of ESA, a community-minded sorority, and a member of the DAR.  In addition to raising cattle, hogs, and chickens, Bill and Nell owned and operated Finley Feed and Seed, a feed and farm implement store in Antlers for 14 years until Bill’s passing in 1965.  A few years later Nell married Joe H. Stallings, a native of Paris, Texas.  The final years of their lives together were in Paris until Joe’s passing in 2004.

      Nell moved to Plano, Texas where her son, Bob and family live.  Later she moved to Richland, Washington, where her daughter, Patricia and family live.  Our families feel blessed that we had the privilege of having her close to them in her last years.  Patricia is grateful to her family for all their support.


      Our strong matriarch will be greatly missed by those surviving her.  Nelwyn will be remembered for her devotion to family and friends.  She was a loving wife, mother and grandmother.  She was blessed with many special relatives and friends throughout her life.  All who knew her appreciated her love and compassion for life.

      Nelwyn was preceded in death by her sisters Mary Bennett and Lillian Mast.  She is survived by her children, grandchildren and great granddaughter whom she dearly loved.  Survivors include son, William M. Finley III wife Jeanne; son, Robert C. Finley wife Phyllis; and daughter, Patricia Finley Baranouskas husband Tom; stepchildren, Chris Stallings wife Nancy, Ruth Ruhl husband John, and Mark Stallings; granddaughter, Anne Finley; grandsons, Brad Baranouskas, Luke Baranouskas, Will Finley and Brett Finley; nieces, Letitia Bennett and Melanie Hurta husband David; nephews, Steven Mast wife Mickey and Bill Bennett wife Vera; step grandchildren, Carrie McElyea, Kellie Stallings, Ben Stallings, Emily Ruhl and John David Ruhl; and step great-granddaughter, Kinsey McElyea.

      The family wishes to express their gratitude to Hospice at The Chaplaincy and Tranquility Haven in Kennewick, Washington, for their extraordinary compassion and care.  Friends and caregivers from her home, Tranquility Haven, had a special memorial service for family and friends April 26, 2006.

      The family also wishes to thank the wonderful friends who planted a magnolia tree in Nelwyn’s memory at her daughter’s home in Richland.  It is a beautiful tribute to her and is greatly appreciated.

      A memorial celebration was held Saturday, May 6, 2006, at 10:30 a.m., at the First United Methodist Church in Antlers, Oklahoma.  Graveside services were held at Oddfellows Cemetery followed by a reception at the church fellowship hall.

      In lieu of flowers, those wishing to honor Nelwyn may consider donating to the Antlers Public Library, 104 SE 2nd Street, Antlers, Oklahoma 74523, or Hospice at The Chaplaincy, 2108 W. Entiat, Kennewick, Washington 99336.

NELWYN'S FAVORITE POEM

      LOOK WELL TO THIS ONE DAY
      FOR IT AND IT ALONE IS LIFE,
      IN THE BRIEF COURSE OF THIS ONE DAY   
      LIE ALL THE TRUTHS, ALL THE REALITIES
      OF YOUR EXISTENCE --

      THE JOY OF LIVING, THE SPLENDOR 
      OF BEAUTY, THE GLORY OF ACTION!
      YESTERDAY IS BUT A DREAM –
      TOMORROW IS ONLY A VISION.

      BUT TODAY, WELL LIVED, MAKES 
      EVERY YESTERDAY A DREAM OF HAPPINESS,
      AND EACH TOMORROW A VISION OF HOPE,
      LOOK WELL, THEREFORE, TO THIS ONE DAY,
      FOR IT AND IT ALONE IS LIFE.