Charlotte Jean Tanner Finney of Batesville passed away on Aug. 23, 2021, at her beloved childhood home, surrounded by her family. Charlotte was born on D-Day, June 6, 1944, to James and Mary Jean Tanner at her grandmother’s home in Clover Bend, Arkansas.
Charlotte was a 1962 graduate of Batesville High School and earned her B.A. from Arkansas (Lyon) College. For most of her career, she taught fourth grade at Pleasant Plains and Floral, leaving her students with memories of classroom pets, Charlotte’s Web, the Little House books, and a love of learning. For the last ten years of her career, she was the director of the Midland High School alternative program where she opened a daycare and continuing education center for teen mothers. She loved children and always wanted them around her. She worked many years with Family Violence Prevention and served on its board of directors. Charlotte was an avid collector of antiques and loved going to auctions and estate sales. She was a voracious reader and loved playing bridge and other card games. Above all, Charlotte loved helping people. Without judgment or conditions, she helped anyone who came to her door. She enriched the lives of many people and they certainly enriched hers.
She was preceded in death by her parents and a brother, James J. Tanner, Jr. She is survived by her husband, Doyne; daughters Stacey Lindsey (Elbert) and Beth Finney; son Jason Finney (Mark); a sister Dorothy Winters and brother Charles Tanner (Nancy); sister-in-law Daphine Platt; nieces Missy Tanner Herron and Sonya Platt; nephews Brian Tanner and Andy Hubbs; dear friend, Margo Baker and loved one, Scotty Merrell. She cherished her grandchildren Will Tanner Lindsey, Elley Lindsey, and Caleb Finney. She also treasured those who called her ”Nana”, Chase and Jocie Baker and Lucky, Ce’ce, and Asiah Christman.
Pallbearers are Mark Fortenberry, Elbert Lindsey, Tanner Lindsey, Brian Tanner, Andy Hubbs, and Chase Baker. The family would like to thank her wonderful caregivers, Connie Kihn, and Tammy Pierce.
Graveside services will be at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 26 at Palestine Cemetery, Hutchinson Mountain, Floral, Arkansas. The family will receive guests at 9:00 am with the service immediately following at 10:00 a.m. Please feel free to bring a chair if needed.
Donations in her honor may be made to Lyon College, P.O. Box 2317, Batesville, AR 72503 or Family Violence Prevention of Batesville, 192 E. Main, Batesville, AR 72501.
