Norma Fincher

Norma (Brown) Fincher was born on May 18, 1933 and passed away on January 11, 2024, at her home in Fountain View Village in Fountain Hills, Arizona.

Norma was born in Memphis to Lena Belle (Jeffrey) and Calvin Brown. She lived in Ottumwa & Agency, Iowa and Memphis, Tennessee, before moving to Scottsdale, Arizona in 2017 and to Fountain Hills in 2000. She was married to James Lee Fincher for 73 glorious years. She was a vivacious, enthusiastic person whose laugh would fill a room with joy. She loved nature, bird watching, and traveling with her husband, their two daughters and their husbands. She travelled to all 50 states, Canada, the Caribbean, Mexico, and throughout Europe. They were always planning their next trip. Norma loved to dance — ballroom, country and especially square dancing. She served as president of their Peppermint Squares dance club. She was Jim’s biggest fan when he played in two bands in Iowa and many other groups in Tennessee. Norma was an excellent bowler and avid Cribbage player and was seldom skunked. She was a great seamstress and made many of their square dance clothes and her daughters’ clothes when they were children.

Her work life included being a foster home for newborns, manager of the Hallmark store in Ottumwa, IA; in TN: reception and customer service for parts procurer ILS and realtor, Claude Caldwell. Her favorite job was with Caterpillar Industries in Memphis, TN, where she administrated international contracts. She was recognized for her excellent customer service and won many creative work improvement awards. She also was a model with Models of Memphis, when her daughter Peggy produced their fashion shows. She took great pride in her daughters Connie Marie and Peggy Lee.

Norma is predeceased by her parents; sisters: Aloha Coffrin and Nola Bennett Joy; sister-in-law: Nola Fountain; step grandson: André Rauen; son-in-law: Arthur A. Winters.

She is survived by her daughters: Connie (Jack) Rauen of Durango, CO, and family; Peggy Fincher Winters of Woodstock, NY, and family; her brother Gene (Jona Lee) Brown of Columbia and Downing, MO and family; in-laws Kenneth Fincher of Junction City, KS and family; Don (Pat) Fincher and family of Mesa, AZ; plus numerous nieces, nephews, step grand, great and great great grandchildren.

Norma lived a rich and beautiful life. She knew how to appreciate every day and see the world in a practical way. She was the Queen of Common Sense and we all learned so much from her. She is sorely missed.

Her husband James Fincher passed away on May 22, 2025. They will be interred together in their family resting place at the Memphis Cemetery on June 11,