Sarah A. Finger
September 8, 1946 ~ December 5, 2021
Born in:
Columbia, North Carolina
Resided in:
Lawrenceville, Georgia
Sarah A. Finger passed peacefully on December 5, 2021. She spent her final days as she spent her life, surrounded by those who loved her.
Sarah was the oldest child and only daughter of Edgar and Willie Adams and was born in Columbia NC on September 8, 1946. She later took her role to heart and was a loving and wonderful sister to Eddie and David Adams. She would later become a devoted and loving wife to Glenn David Finger and an adoptive mother and “Gran” to many.
After growing up in Carollton, GA, she attended the University of West Georgia where she received a Bachelor’s and a Master’s degree in Education, her teaching career began in Bremen, GA but quickly took her to Dacula High School in Dacula, GA and then on to North Gwinnett HS. For 35 years, Sarah was devoted to teaching and supporting young people. She taught history and theater and was a speech and debate coach. Over the course of her career, Sarah coached and directed hundreds of students who won piles of trophies and medals and scholarships as well as favorable reviews. She was inducted into the Georgia Forensics Coaches Hall of Fame. Her most important accomplishment, however, was being the person who many young people needed. She was accepting and supportive, loving and generous with her students, and she made high school a much better experience for many of them.
Sarah devoted a tremendous amount of time and love to her church life. She was a member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church for more than 25 years and a member of St. Lawrence for many years before that. She served as a Lector and an Extraordinary Minister and trainer for other Extraordinary Ministers in her parish as well as being an active member of the Women’s Guild. Sarah was also a Confraternity of Christian Doctrine Teacher. Her presence in her church community will be missed.
She was an avid reader and was never without a book close at hand. She loved to travel and was delighted to have visited many of the places she taught her kids about. She was always ready to see a show whether it be on Broadway, in a high school theater or on television. Spending time with her friends over a meal was undoubtedly her favorite pastime. She not only taught history, but was passionate about participating in it. As a proud member of the Democratic Party, she campaigned for many candidates and issues as well as worked at the elections office on many elections.
She played many roles in her life, but her favorite was that of Gran. She became Gran with the birth of Charleston S. Cooper and then later acquired Casey E. Fancher, Thomas Harris Jr and Tatyana Harris, Justin Harris, Nicholas Harris. She felt blessed to be a Great Gran to Avery Harris and Jordan Harris. These are the children and grandchildren of Sarah’s daughters, the daughters of her heart, as she referred to them. Not a biological family, but one born from her love and devotion.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Edgar and Willie Adams, her husband Glenn David Finger, son Craig Cooper, mother and father in law Coy and Doris Finger and sister in law Beverly Finger.
Sarah is survived by her daughters, Melissa Cooper (Myron Fancher), Vivian Carey, Mary Kelly and Jeannine (Brian) Harris. Her grandchildren, Charleston S. Cooper, Casey Fancher, Thomas Harris Jr and Tatyana Harris, Justin (Carolina) Harris, Nicholas (Stephanie) Harris. Great Grand Children Avery Harris and Jordyn Harris. Her brothers, Eddie (Vyckie) Adams and David (Beverly) Adams. Nieces and nephews, Dr. Rob and Michelle Adams; Amy, Walt and Cooper Murphy; Brandon, Hayden, Chase and Mason Windom; Sarah Nicole, Randall, Emma Grace, Tucker and Mary Katherine Mitchell.
Sarah’s life was beautifully full and purposeful. She will be missed by not just her family but countless friends, colleagues and former students.
Donations to St. Jude’s or Food for the Poor in remembrance of Sarah are appreciated.
Services
Visitation: December 10, 2021 4:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Wages & Sons Gwinnett Chapel
1031 Lawrenceville Hwy.
Lawrenceville, GA 30046
770-277-4550
Funeral Mass: December 11, 2021 10:00 am - 11:00 am
St. Patrick's Catholic Church
2140 Beaver Ruin Road
Norcross, GA 30071
Interment:
Gwinnett Memorial Park
925 US Highway 29 S
Lawrenceville, AG 30046
770-962-7630
www.gwinnettcemetery.com/
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Sarah Finger was such a wonderful teacher. She had such a good heart. If a student ever had s problem she was there to talk to and listen. Mrs. Finger was always one of my favorite teachers. RIP. You will be missed
Oh how I loved Ms. Finger. She was a joy. She taught me so much in drama and competitive speaking (and History). So much of my life in high school and college has revolved around the confidence she instilled in me in performance and persuasion. I’m so sorry to hear of her passing. Her investment in us as students (and friends) made a difference in my life and thousands of others over the years. We loved ribbing each other over our Baptist/Catholic differences – but rejoiced in our shared faith. You are forever loved and admired Ms. Finger.
Sarah was my teacher but also my debate/speech/drama coach during my high school days. To say she influenced my life would be an understatement. She instilled in me confidence in myself and courage to try new things, along with her wit and humor. Some of the most memorable and fun times in my life I spent with her: practicing lines, traveling and competing in debate tournaments, performing on stage. She will always occupy a special place in my heart.
May God bless the memory of Sarah Finger in the minds and hearts of those she touched. Rest in peace.
Love you mom Sarah.
Sarah was such a wonderful person. My heart is broken that the world lost such a wonderful human. She encouraged me, taught me to try new things and was one of the most influential people in my formative years. Rest In Peace, Mrs Finger. You will forever be my favorite teacher.
Ms. Finger,
You will be missed by many, it was a pleasure working with you at North
Gwinnett High School. Will be praying for your family!
Amy Austin
NGHS
Please accept my sincere condolences. Sarah was a debate coach colleague in Gwinnett County, as we were in two different competing high schools. I remember her fondly in that capacity and then years later in the Gwinnett Co. Retired Educators Association, as we worked to have a fruitful influence on young people.
I have known Sarah since I began teaching at Dacula HS. We were carpool mates. She was a wonderful teacher, compassionate to all, and a bundle of energy. It was a joy to reconnect with her in Gwinnett County Retired Educators Association where we worked for many years on the Scholarship Auction. Rest peacefully, Sarah.
Mrs Finger was one of my history teachers at DHS as well as a coach for the drill team and flag corp. Always such a sweet lady and displayed a great willingness to help. Condolences to the family. Fly high sweet lady.
I first met Sarah at Gwinnett County Retired Educators Association and enjoyed so much our conversations about so many things as we often sat together at lunch. We also worked together on the GCREA annual Scholarship Auction for many years. It has been a joy to read the comments of her many students and to rejoice at how much influence she had on their lives. Rest now, Sweet Sarah.
My condolences to the family. May her soul find rest with Christ
So sorry to hear of Sarah’s passing. She was an extraordinary person. She will be missed. My thoughts & prayers are with the family during this sad time.
What a wonderful tribute to Sarah! She was a beautiful person, inside and out, and I loved the time I was able to spend with her. She bragged on her family when we were together and truly loved each one. I am grateful to have been able to know her. Prayers for her family and friends as we mourn the loss of this wonderful lady.
I went to high school with Sarah, and she was one of my best friends. We would hang out together at her house after school and talk for hours. We double dated many times, with 3 couples piling into one car to go dancing, to the movies or just hang out at someone’s home. She was always laughing, and I loved her laugh. I was so glad to see her at our 50th class reunion. She was so beautiful, and hardly showed her age. I am sad to hear I will not see her at our 60th reunion. There will always be a special place in my heart for her and the good memories we made together. Hugs Kiddo! Thanks for being in my life. Mary Frost Ahls from Carrollton High Days
For the family of Sarah Finger. I just learned of her passing. I am so sorry to hear this. She was such a wonderful person. I loved working with her on educational committees and groups. She will be missed
I just found out that Sarah has passed. She has been on my mind for months now. We exchanged Christmas cards through the years. I recently connected with another friend that taught at Dacula. This was 1973-1980? A group of us carpooled from Atlanta. The last time we talked, we were on our way from Mobile to Tennessee. We stopped at a fast-food place, and I noticed that the address was Dacula. When we taught there, I think the population was less than 900 people. Dacula had spread to I85! I called Sarah and we briefly talked, ignoring her invitation to visit. I have so many memories with her, her Mom Willie, her husband David, etc. My best memory was spending Mardi Gras weekend in New Orleans. Driving through the night to make it to school on time. Oh my goodness – youth!
My condolences to her brothers, and large adopted family. 🙏😘