"What's in a name? That which we call a Rose by any other name would smell as sweet."     William Shakespeare (Romeo & Juliet)

Elegant, Regal, Classy, Charming, Graceful, Principled, Exemplary are a few words to describe the ultimate queen diva, Mrs. Rosie Mae Ferguson Finley.

Mrs. Finley was the eighth child of thirteen born in Harris Spring, Texas to Eugene and Addie Mae Ferguson on June 16th, 1941.  As a child, Rosie accepted Christ as her personal Savior at an early age and attended Harris Spring African Methodist Episcopal church with her family where she taught Sunday School, learned to play piano and direct choirs, and eventually became the Sunday School Superintendent.  Following graduation from Pickard High School as the class Salutatorian, Rosie attended Prairie View A&M University and obtained a Bachelor's Degree in Home Economics and earned her Life teaching certification in Vocational Home Economics.  Mrs. Finley started her teaching career in the Brenham Independent School District as a high school Home Economics teacher until the day she met her Everlasting Love, the handsome Mr. Melton Eugene Finley.  Rosie Mae Ferguson and Melton Finley were united in holy matrimony on June 15th, 1968, just one day shy of her birthday.  The two lovebirds subsequently moved to Houston where Mrs. Finley worked as a Home Economist for the Houston Health Department and a teacher in Houston Independent School District.  They established a lifetime of membership at the newly organized Greater St. Matthew Baptist Church under the pastorate of the Late Dr. Gusta Booker Sr. and during those years, Mrs. Finley gave birth to her "only begotten son" Melton Leroy and daughter Melanie Rogenia.

Mrs. Finley established Kids-R-Us Child Development Center that she owned and operated for several years before returning to the classroom.  She worked for Fort Bend Independent School District at her beloved Willowridge High School.   A life-long educator, Mrs. Finley was named Teacher of the Year, Golden Apple Award winner, facilitated sessions at the Family and Consumer Science Association of America conventions, and she maintained memberships with the Texas Federation of Teachers and the National Teachers Association.  Upon retirement from education, Mrs. Finley was inducted into the prestigious Willowridge High School Wall of Honor for her work as a distinguished educator.

At Greater St. Matthew, Mrs. Finley was a Deaconess, a member of the Celestial Voices, Sanctuary, Mass and Women's choirs, Woman to Woman Bible Study ministry, Children's Church Coordinator, Director of Vacation Bible School, Co-chair of the Summer Music Camp, Overseer of Sunday Nursery, and assistant with the Children's puppet ministry.   Mrs. Finley also organized the Ferguson Family Reunions for many years that has still been carried on by her nieces.   Melton and Rosie Finley shared a lovely life together for 55 years until her health failed and our Lord called her home.  A majestic mother and grandmother, fashionista, homemaker, designer, communicator, organizer, choir director, and a life-long educator, Mrs. Finley commanded the room with her winning smile, quick wit, and warm personality which will forever be in our hearts!

On Friday, December 1st, Rosie Mae Ferguson Finley peacefully joined her Everlasting Love, Melton on the eternal stairway to Heaven.  She is preceded in death by her sweetheart of 55 years, Mr. Melton Eugene Finley, her Father and Mother, Eugene and Addie Mae Ferguson, brothers and sisters, Dorothy Ann Ferguson, Doris Jean Briggs, Lucille Garrett, Erma Jewel Newsome, Eugene Ferguson Jr., Tommie Ferguson, Robert Lee Ferguson, Lee Otis Ferguson, and Sammie Lee Ferguson.  Mrs. Rosie Mae Ferguson Finley leaves to cherish her memory: Her "only begotten" son, Melton Leroy Finley (Rhonda), daughter, Melanie Gordon (William), bonus daughter, Patricia Carr, sisters, Maxina Mitchell (Jerome), Franklin Ferguson (Ruthie), Addie (Babymae) Settles (James), a host of loving grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, god-children, cousins, business associates, former students, and an abundance of friends.