Frances Irene Finley

Frances Irene Jeans Knorpp Finley was the first child of the late Luther Jeans and Minnie Irene (Souder) Jeans. Born in Diamond, Missouri on December 11, 1935, and entered Heaven May 16, 2026. Frances married the late Frank Knorpp in 1952 and to that union was born six children; Linda Steele (John), Pamela Finley (David), Barbara Hirshey (Denis), Angela Knorpp, Susan Hill (Troy) and Jacob Knorpp (Renee). Frances married the late Elbert (Bud) Finley on January 1, 1981 in Jasper County, with Bud adding six children to the family; Carol Cobaugh, David Finley (Pam), Barbara Finley, Margaret Wooldridge, and John Tipping. Frances attended school in Diamond, Missouri and wore many hats in her lifetime; wife, mother, Sunday School teacher, Girl Scout leader, and dedicated church member. Born a farmer’s daughter, she enjoyed raising cattle and chickens, wrangling an occasional horse, goat, or pig, and making a large garden, canning and freezing vegetables for her family and neighbors. She kept busy with her children, taxiing them and attending their many school activities and then later enjoying her many grandchildren, babysitting, entertaining and teaching the ways of the farm and loving Jesus. She loved crafts, making quilts and sewing different items. She had also taken up oil painting, being inspired by Bob Ross, and gifting the family with her works of art. Being outdoors was her passion, and by her own admission, housekeeping was not. She reluctantly gave up driving her blue pickup just within the last year at the age of 89. Frances lived out her faith daily. She and Bud were devoted members of Risen Ranch Cowboy Church where they loved greeting and welcoming others. Frances was deeply saddened when her sister, Helen Rupp passed away on April 21st just 21 days earlier, leaving her as the remaining family member of her generation. Just five days before her own passing, she faced the unexpected heartbreak of losing one of her daughters, Pam. As only a mother can do, she spent those days comforting everyone else, all the while telling everyone how ready she was to go to Heaven also. She spoke many times of wondering what was left for her to do, often referring to Philippians 4:13: “For I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.” She wasn’t required to do “all things” for very long. Surviving Frances are her children and their spouses; Linda Steele, Barbara and Denis Hirshey, Angela Knorpp, Susan and Troy Hill, Jacob and Renee Knorpp, Carol Cobaugh, David Finley, Barbara Finley, Margaret Wooldridge, and John Tipping. Frances is also survived by many, many grandchildren and great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild, all who loved her dearly. Preceding Frances in death are her parents, Luther and Minnie Jeans, her siblings, Helen Rupp, Karolen Johnson, Joanne Bradley and Johnnie Jeans, the father of her children, Frank Knorpp and her husband Elbert (Bud) Finley. She was also preceded in death by her son-in-law John Steele and her daughter Pamela Finley. There will be a funeral service for Frances at 10:00 AM, Friday, May 22, 2026, at Ulmer Funeral Home in Carthage, Missouri. Her visitation will be held the evening prior from 6:00 to 7:00 PM on Thursday, May 21, 2026, at Ulmer Funeral Home. The burial will take place at Fidelity Cemetery in Fidelity, Missouri, immediately following the service. Contributions can be made to the Fidelity Cemetery Association in care of Ulmer Funeral Home. Online condolences may be made at www.ulmerfh.com. Arrangements are under the care and direction of Ulmer Funeral Home.

Frances Irene Finley

December 11, 1935 - May 16, 2026