Martha Finklea

Martha "Sis" Walker Finklea, 90, went home to be with her Lord just after midnight on March 10, 2020, while she was surrounded by her family. A Celebration honoring her life will be held Thursday, March 12, 2020 at Rose-Neath Funeral Home, 2201 Airline Drive, Bossier City, LA. Visitation begins at 1:00 p.m. till service begins at 3:00 p.m. Internment at the Doyline Cemetery in Doyline, Louisiana will follow service. Martha was born on April 28, 1929, in Hall Summit, LA to J.C. and Lillian Mabel Walker. Martha had four brothers (one died during childhood) and one sister. Around the age of 11 or 12, the family moved to Doyline where she soon connected with her best friend, Louise Stanley Youngblood. While attending Doyline High School, Martha was elected as the school's first Halloween Queen. During her high school years before graduating in 1946, she enjoyed playing softball and tennis. Martha married shortly after graduating and had 2 daughters, Connie and Sherrie. She was a meticulous mother and dressed them to the nines daily, never letting them get dirty. Once Connie and Sherrie started school, the neighborhood moms would come outside every morning while they waited at the bus stop as to see what outfits the two girls were wearing. Both Martha's resiliency through life's challenges and the support from her brother, W.L., were instrumental in her completing business school while being a single mother. Martha then met Bill Finklea at the bowling alley. She quickly set him on the straight and narrow, soon leading them to marry. Over the next few years, they welcomed two daughters, Joni and Jill. Martha stayed busy raising her family while she worked in business from time to time. Martha and Bill enjoyed spending time with friends, playing games, and traveling. They also loved to go to basketball games to watch Connie, Sherrie and mostly Tommy Joe, play. The two were always there for their girls, supporting them in all their activities. With Bill being in the service, the family settled in Bossier City, where they became members of Airline Baptist Church. Martha's family expanded quickly as the girls grew up and married. She enjoyed every moment spent with her family. She was preceded in death by her parents, J.C. and Lillian Walker; her husband, Bill Finklea; brothers, Lamar, Jim and Charles; and son-in-law, Tommy Joe Eagles. Martha is survived by her four daughters, Connie Eagles of Ruston, LA, Sherrie Moseley and husband, Earl of Doyline, LA, Joni McElveen and husband, Elwood Jr., of Dallas, TX, Jill Blair and husband, Bruce of Forney, TX.; 10 grandchildren, Jamie, Katie, Brandon, Dustin, Savannah, Tyler, Addison, Hilary, Holly, Hunter, and their spouses, and 18 great-grandchildren, with number 18 recently being born. She is also survived by her brother, W.L. Walker of Longview,TX ; sister, Katherine Bush and husband, Ken of Bossier City, seven nephews and a multitude of friends. Honoring Martha as pallbearers are her six grandsons, Jamie Eagles, Brandon Moseley, Dustin Moseley, Tyler McElveen, Addison McElveen, and Hunter Blair. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to The American Heart Association at National Center 7272 Greenville Avenue, Dallas, TX 75231or Airline Baptist Church at 4007 Airline Drive, Bossier City, LA 71111