Mrs. Gladys E Finnell

Gladys E. Finnell She was the last child born to Gladys Page and Thomas H. Jackson on December 24, 1929, in Dalton, Mo., and was the last surviving member of the family. She was reared in Quindaro, Kansas where her father was the Treasurer of the Quindaro School District and educated in the Quindaro and Kansas City, Kansas school system. She graduated from Sumner High School in 1947. She was looking forward to attending Western University, which was right across the street from where the family lived and where her mother taught English Literature, but the university closed before she could attend. So, she attended and graduated from the Sumner division of K.C., KS. Jr. College division and attended Baker University in Baldwin, KS. She met the love of her life Lorenzo R. Finnell and they were married in 1950 and celebrated 64 years of marriage, in which 3 sons were born. She stayed at home for a few years until her sons were old enough, she could begin working. She enrolled in the Kansas University School of Nursing in Kansas City, Ks. and graduated as a Licensed Practical Nurse in 1962 with honors. Her career began as she worked at K.U. Medical Center in K.C., Ks., Research Hospital in K.C., Mo., Swope Ridge Nursing Home and the former Holmesdale Nursing Home in K. C., Mo. culminating in over 40 years of nursing. She was also active in the PTA and was a Den Mother in the old Scout Troop 27 in K.C., Mo. when the boys were active in scouting. She was reared in a Christian home and gave her life to Christ at very early age at Allen Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Quindaro now K. C. Ks. She was involved in Sunday School and singing in the choir. She became involved in her passion the Women’s Missionary Society (WMS) and was active until her death. She held the office of 5th District Parliamentarian WMS, First Vice President of the former Kansas Nebraska Conference and several other offices. She served as one of the Kansas Nebraska Conference WMS representatives to the Church Women United of the State of Kansas. She was a delegate and attended all the WMS Quadrennials from the 70’s up to 2019. Her declining health prevented her from attending the most recent Quadrennial in 2023. She helped author the WMS bylaws and was a Life Member of the WMS. She helped organize sickle cell testing for children in Kansas City, Ks. She travelled with her husband, the late Rev. Lorenzo R. Finnell, to every pastoral charge he was assigned to. They traveled together down the highway each weekend. She sang in the choir and was active in the local society of the WMS. She was active in the Minister’s Wives/Clergy Spouses organization in the former Kansas Nebraska Conference and now the Midwest Conference of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. After her husband’s retirement from pastoring, they were members of Trinity AME Church in K C., Ks. Where he became an associate minister, and she was active in the WMS there. Upon moving to Papillion, NE. Lorenzo became an associate minister at Allen Chapel AME in Omaha, Ne. and she became active in the WMS society there from 2012 to 2022. She later became a member of the Historic St. John’s AME Church in Omaha, Ne. and was active in the local WMS society there until her passing. She was a mentor to many young ladies in the church and the WMS. Gladys enjoyed cooking and made cookies and cakes for her family and friends. She often baked her chocolate chip cookies for friends and family during Christmas holidays and made birthday cakes for her sons up until her health failed. She was a caring and loving wife, mother, grandmother, and had a smile and a kind word for everyone. She will be greatly missed. She was proceeded in death by her parents Thomas H. Jackson and Gladys P. Jackson, husband Rev. Lorenzo R. Finnell, brothers Thomas P. Jackson, Dr. Andrew H. Jackson, sisters Martha Louise Jackson Newton, Jane Jackson, and son Gary M. Finnell. Left to cherish her memory are the sons Rev. Benjamin R. Finnell (wife Rose Marie, special daughter in law and caretaker) of Papillion, NE., Rev. David L. Finnell (wife Mary) of Ankeny, IA. special nephew Honorable Thomas H. Newton (wife Renee) of Jamestown, NC., and niece Camillia Stanton (husband Dr. Danny) daughter in law Barbara Finnell of Summerville, SC., and 11 grandchildren, 18 great grandchildren, 5 great-great grandchildren, 2 grand nephews, and 4 grand nieces, and a host of cousins, friends, and church families.

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