Bertha Finch

Bertha Elrod Finch, age 96, of Frisco, Texas passed away on February 15, 2025 at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital in Plano Texas.

She was born in Symsonia, Kentucky on September 19, 1928 to Henry and Lille Elrod.

Bertha worked part time as a clerk for Weight Watchers and full time as a mother and homemaker. She was a member of Oakland United Methodist Church in Sharpe for over 70 years and attended regularly until she was no longer able to drive.

Bertha was a cheerleader at Symsonia High School. That was where her future husband, Harrel Finch, first laid eyes on her. They claimed it was love at first sight, Harrel leaned over to his cousin, Virgil Minter, and told him that he was going to marry that girl. They wed in 1947 and remained married for over 74 years, until his passing. Bertha and Harrel didn't own a car when they first got married - they rode an Indian motorcycle everywhere they went. 

She was a member of the McCracken County Homemakers and the Quilt Club.  Bertha volunteered regularly at the Quilt Museum and the annual Quilt Show.  She was an excellent seamstress and prided herself on her small, even stitches.  Bertha loved to crochet, knit, and needlepoint. She loved to sew her daughter, Jill’s clothes and made cookies or cupcakes for every school function. Bertha was also a Girl Scout leader for Jill’s girl scout troop. Bertha and Harrel were both very active with the Reidland High School Band Boosters when their daughter was in school.  

In 2016, Bertha and Harrel moved to Texas to live with Jill. They cherished every moment they were able to spend surrounded by family. Bertha loved to travel, she created memories with her family all over the world. Some of their trips included London for her 65th birthday, the Holy Land, Hawaii several times, Alaska, Passion Play at Oberammergau, Germany three times, she walked on the Great Wall of China for her 80th birthday, and Norwegian Fjords cruise at the age of 94 – where she crossed the Arctic Circle.

She is survived by her daughter, Jill F. Igert (Robert H. Igert III); two sisters, Ruby Starks Lewis (Ken) and Carolyn June Wyatt; one sister-in-law, Sheron Elrod; many nieces and nephews and their families; puppies, Bailey Finch, Gypsy, and Cami; and cat, Luna.

Bertha was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Harrel Finch; her parents, Henry Elrod and Lillie Farmer Elrod; three brothers, Ernest Elrod (Pauline), Charles Earl Elrod (Betty), and Henry Clay Elrod; five sisters, Myrtle Farmer (Raymond), Lena Farmer (Cliff), Edith Carper (Thomas R.), Mary Elizabeth Price (Paul) and Barbara Elrod; one sister-in-law, Sue Elrod; and two brothers-in-law, Marvin Starks and Gerald Wyatt.

A memorial visitation will be from 11:00 AM until 2:00 PM on Saturday, September 6, 2025.