Born in Cross Keys, S.C., he was the son of the late Robert Charles and Addie Delilah Murphy Fincher. He was the husband of the late Ann Washburn Fincher, who died in 2003.

Mr. Fincher was a graduate of the University of South Carolina with a degree in pharmacy, class of 1949. He was the owner and operator of Tryon Pharmacy from 1966 until his retirement in 1991.

Mr. Fincher was a member of the First Baptist Church of Tryon, where he served as a deacon, a choir member, church moderator and served on the personnel committee, as well as various other committees. He was deacon emeritus.

He was a member of and served in a leadership role in the following organizations: the Tryon Lions Club; Polk County Democrat Mens Club; Polk County Democrat Party; Polk County Department of Social Services; Polk County Election Board; Tryon ABC Board. He served on the Tryon Town Council from 1981 until 1995 and was later elected mayor of Tryon, serving from 1995 until 1999.

Mr. Fincher received the Woodmen of the World Outstanding Citizen Award in 1987, the Liston B. Ramsey Democratic Party Service Award in 2001 and the Polk County Democratic Service Award in 2003.

Survivors include a son, Ellis M. Fincher Jr. (Linda) of Columbus; two daughters, Gloria F. Elliott (Freddie) of Gaffney, S.C., and Cathy F. Vining (Seth) of Gainesville, Ga.; two sisters, Margaret Corley and Elaine Huggins, both of Lexington, S.C.; one brother, Dr. Julian Fincher of Little Rock, Ark. Also surviving are four grandchildren, Trey Fincher (Missy,) Amber F. McEntire (Ben,) Adam Vining (Jessamy) and Marjorie Vining. Three great grandchildren, Alyssa Fincher, T.J. Fincher and Verae Upton.

He was predeceased by five brothers, Dr. John Albert Fincher, Herbert Fincher, Dr. Robert Charles Fincher, Franklin Fincher, and Raymond Fincher; four sisters, Jane Wade, May Fincher, Nancy Johnson and Martha Humes.

Memorial services will be held Saturday, Dec. 6, 2008 at

11 a.m. in the First Baptist Church of Tryon, with Dr. Bill Henderson officiating.

The family will receive friends immediately following the service.

Private burial will be in the church memorial gardens.

Memorials may be made to the Fincher Family Scholarship, c/o First Baptist Church of Tryon, P.O. Box 1287, Tryon, N.C. 28782.

The family will be at the home, 689 S. Trade St., Tryon, N.C.

An online guest register may be signed at www.mcfarlandfuneralchapel.com.

McFarland Funeral Chapel of Tryon is in charge of arrangements.

‐ paid obituary