Leona Sutherland Finch

Leona Iris Sutherland Finch, 92, of Charleston, SC entered into eternal rest on Friday, August 5, 2022. Her memorial service will be held Saturday, August 13, 2022 in the Chapel at Bishop Gadsden, 1 Bishop Gadsden Way, Charleston SC 29412, at 11 AM with Rev. Charles E. Jenkins officiating. Arrangements by J. Henry Stuhr Downtown Chapel. 

Leona was born July 21, 1930 in Wilcoe, WV. Daughter of the late Hollin Milton Sutherland and Inez Boyd Sutherland. Her academic schooling included Honaker High School, Va; Berea College, Berea KY; and Georgetown University, Washington D.C. Her work history included the Pentagon Building, Washington D.C., Passport division and Building Commandants Office. Leona was a licensed real estate broker. As part of a husband-and-wife team in the Episcopal Dioceses of NC, Western N.C., Atlanta and SC, she was an ardent and active participant in church and civic activities wherever she was. Leona served on the Board of Directors for the Florence Crittendon Home in Charleston, SC. She was on the Board of Governors of the Appleton Family Ministries in Macon, GA. She was President of the Doctors Hospital Auxiliary in Columbus, GA and the Prison ministry in Columbus, GA. 

She also served on the auxiliary of the Springer Opera House which is Georgia’s official state opera. Leona has volunteered at hospitals, American Red Cross, the Heart Association, Multiple Sclerosis, H.E.L.P. and Girl Scouts of America. She has been on the staff of Camp Shantituck (Girl Scouts), Camp Kanuga and Camp Henry. She has been president of the Episcopal Church Women, a delegate to diocesan conventions and an Episcopal Church Women member in multiple locations.

Leona was a woman of many talents and humbly proud of the fact that as a diocesan representative to Panama and Colombia, she was the first woman to operate the levers that opened the locks on the Panama Canal. She is survived by two sons: Floyd William Finch, III (Carole) of Bonneau, SC; James Milton Finch (Audrey) of Moncks Corner, SC; and daughter Theresa F. Roberts (Chris) of Shelby, NC. She had 11 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. 

Leona was predeceased by her loving husband, The Reverend Floyd William Finch, Jr. and her daughter, Karen Elizabeth F. Gadsden George. Brothers: Craig Sutherland, Leland Sutherland, Paul Sutherland and Boyd Sutherland; Sisters: Rebecca S. Mullins, Faye S. Drennan and Irene S. Thompson. 

Memorials may be made to the Residents Assistance Fund, at 1 Bishop Gadsden Way, Charleston, SC 29412. 
A memorial message may be sent to the family by visiting our website at www.jhenrystuhr.com.