MARTHA FRANCES KAY FINLEY

Martha Frances Kay Finley, age 94, passed away on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, surrounded by her four loving children. She was the wife of the late George T. Finley. They were married 41 years until his passing on June 29, 1997. She was a resident of Sumter for 65 years and lived at Sumter Grove Senior Living at the time of her passing.

Born in Honea Path, S.C., on Nov. 11, 1931, she was the daughter of the late Luther and Estee Maddox Kay. Mrs. Finley was a member of the Church of the Holy Comforter in Sumter since 1961. She graduated from Honea Path High School and attended Winthrop College. She retired from St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church and Day School in 1996 where she was the secretary for many years.

Survivors include Pat Rocca of Salisbury, N.C., Tommy (Ling) Finley of Belmont, N.C., Connie (Ken) Sarris of Matthews, N.C., and Michael (Kay) Finley of Manning, S.C., as well as 14 grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. She is also survived by a sister-in-law, Faye Kay of Honea Path, S.C. She is preceded in death by her husband, George; a brother, Robert Kay; and sisters, Elizabeth Sawyer (and brother-in-law Everett) and Ruby Elrod (and brother-in-law Alvon); brother-in-law, Wayne Finley; sister-in-law Elizabeth Colemon (and brother-in-law CB); and by her son-in-law Chris Rocca.

A memorial service will be held on Friday, Oct. 30, 2026, at 1 p.m. at The Church of the Holy Comforter at 213 N. Main St., Sumter, with the Rev. David Booman officiating. Mrs. Finley’s ashes will be interred at The Church of the Holy Comforter Memorial Garden with her late husband George.

The family will receive friends at a reception that will follow the service at the church parish hall.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The Church of the Holy Comforter (www.holycomfortersc.org) or to The Tuomey Foundation in Sumter (thetuomeyfoundation.org).

Elmore-Cannon-Stephens Funeral Home and Crematorium of Sumter is handling Mrs. Finley’s final wishes.