Dorothy "Dot" Jean Smith Finley was born April 18, 1920, in Red Bay, Alabama to Claude Franklin Smith and Lester Lucille Nabers Smith. She passed away on January 20, 2019, in Hampton, Virginia, at age 98.

Dot and her sister, Anne Smith Ross, were raised in Florence, Alabama and attended First United Methodist Church which she remained a member until her death. Dot attended Florence State Teacher's College (now the University of North Alabama) and married Emmett Atkins Finley, known to friends as "Finley" on May 15, 1941. They moved around a good deal with Finley's jobs with the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) and the US Geological Survey, Department of Interior, until that brought them to Washington, DC. There they lived for a number of years and raised their two daughters, Ellen Atkins Finn and Ann Finley Andrews. Dot was known as another "Perle Mesta" to Finley's office friends. They entertained a great deal and she was always a perfect hostess. At retirement, they returned to Dot's hometown of Florence, Alabama. Finley died on May 10, 1997, after almost 56 years of marriage, and Dot remained in Florence until she moved to Virginia to be closer to family.

She is survived by her daughters, Ellen (Mick) and Ann (Tom), three Grandchildren: Dorothy Ward (Mike), Doug Anderson (Jane), Michael Finn (Mandy), eight great grandchildren; Jon Ward, Erin Ward Huffer, Emily Ward, Ian Anderson, Nicole Anderson, Reid Anderson, Sam Finn, Heidi Finn and two great grandchildren.

A graveside memorial will be held at Florence City Cemetery on Monday, February 25, 2019, at 10:00 am. Elkins Funeral Home, Florence is assisting the family.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution to First United Methodist Church in Florence Alabama.

You're invited to leave online condolences at www.elkinsfuneralhome.com