Nancy Jo (Benfield) Finchum

Nancy Jo Benfield Finchum, joined her husband Frank in Heaven on Wednesday, November 13, 2019. Services to Honor her Life will be held on Saturday, November, 16, 2019, at 10:00am at the United Methodist Church in Orange, Texas with interment at Greenlawn Memorial Cemetery in Groves, Texas. Family and friends will gather for a visitation on Friday, November, 15, 2019 between 4:00pm, to 7:00pm, at United Methodist Church in Orange, Texas.

Nancy was born on August 17, 1936 in Port Arthur, Texas, to Junius and Roberta Benfield. She attended Thomas Jefferson High School and graduated in 1954 before marrying Frank Dewayne Finchum in 1955.  She graduated with a Bachelors of Science from Lamar State University in 1968.  In 1976 she received her Masters of Education from McNeese State University. She continued her education by earning her plus thirty. She taught third grade for 28 years at Little Cypress Mauriceville. During the summertime she taught art classes. While finishing her extensive education she raised their three children Tab, Frank and Nan, as well as running two successful businesses with Frank, Frank and Sons Deli and The Boarding House.  She served as sous chef for countless events, many gumbo cook offs, bar b q dinners and fundraisers. Nancy was a member of First Methodist Church since moving to Orange in 1960.  She and Frank were very active in church life.  She taught Sunday school, cooked for fundraisers, was a member of the United Methodist Women, as well as the Joy Club. Community involvement was central to her life in Orange.  She was a member of the Junior League, The Follies, Sunset Grove Country Club, Women’s Golf Association, Towne Club, and Tempo Club.  Nancy was an Avid bridge player who played weekly and also held bridge classes.  She loved her Ivy League Garden Club and her Book Club; she was and original volunteer with Shangri-La Botanical Gardens and a long time participant in the Orange Community Players. Nancy loved to travel both domestically and abroad. Including but not limited to her famous “poor girl” trips with friends. 

She was preceded in death by her husband Frank, her parents and her brother Robert Benfield.

She is survived by her three children Tab Damon Finchum and wife Misty of Lake Charles, Frank Dub Finchum and wife Tracy of Lafayette and Barbara Nan Risley and husband Mark of Dallas.  Her four grandchildren Taylor Alexander and husband William, Ben and Annie Finchum and Mark Risley IV.  Her great grandkids Davis Alexander, Emmie, and Macartny Alexander.  She was cared for by Chaquetta Declouet for many years.

Pallbearers will be Mark Risley IV, Mark Risley III, Ben Finchum, Evan Tidwell, Terry Mingle, and William Alexander.

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