Alma Jean Fincher

On a sunny September morning, Alma Jean Fincher, 88, joined her husband, Harold Lee Fincher, and their parents in heavenly repose. Alma Jean passed away quietly on September 21, 2015 in the Ouachita County Medical Center Hospice, where she received loving, attentive care during the final stages of breast cancer. Alma Jean Bridges was born February 8, 1927 on her parent's farm in Columbia County. William S. Bridges and Maude Anderson Bridges had two daughters. Alma Jean graduated Salutatorian from Waldo High School and was chosen to write and deliver the commencement address for her class of 1943. She was elected class favorite and played starting center for four years on the girls' basketball team. After school classes, she also worked part-time at People's Bank of Waldo, where her attitude and skills earned her a pre-graduation job offer from The Merchants & Planters Bank in Camden. WHS diploma in hand, she moved to Camden at 18 and began work at the M&P Bank. World War II was in full swing and Camden was a busy, rowdy town with thousands of soldiers in training at the huge Naval Armaments Depot in East Camden. Pretty and outgoing but very cautious, Alma Jean turned down many date offers. Her friends at M&P told her they had the perfect fellow for her, but he was serving in England. When the war ended and Harold Lee Fincher returned safely, he and Alma Jean began a date that lasted 64 years. They were married in Waldo in 1946, and remained inseparable until Harold Lee's death on March 10, 2010. They shared a wonderful life of work, church, fishing, golfing, bowling, and extensive travel in North America and Europe. Now, they are traveling together again on a glorious new adventure. Alma Jean is survived by her one sister, Laura Evelyn Bridges Fincher (James Owen, deceased) and one niece, Carol Lee Fincher, both of Camden. Ironically, the Bridges sisters both married Finchers, though the men were not closely related. The family wishes to offer heartfelt thanks to our magnificent team of caregivers: Sylvia Foreman, Betha Weaver, Lula Leaks, and Neda Todd. Their contributions were invaluable to ensuring Alma Jean's final days were filled with comfort and love. Visitation will be 10:30-11:30 a.m. Thursday, September 24, 2015 at the Proctor Funeral Home. A Graveside service will be held following the visitation at 12 noon at Memorial Park Cemetery. Rev. James Ray Raines will officiate the service. In lieu of flowers, please remember Alma Jean with donations to Immanuel Baptist Church of Camden or the Ouachita County Medical Center Hospice. Proctor Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. To sign the online guest register visit www.proctorfuneralhome.com.