Harvey Williamson

Harvey Williamson

September 06, 1919 – July 06, 2018

Finley lost a wonderful Christian icon, Harvey Williamson, 98, died on Friday, July 06, 2018 at his residence.

Born September 06, 1919, he was the son of the late John W. and Georgia B. Simpson Williamson.

He and his family moved to Finley in 1925. He was the oldest living member of Finley United Pentecostal Church.

He had to quit school when he was in the 7th grade to work on the family farm because his father was disabled. He put his first crop in when he was 12 years old at Sweeney Ridge two miles below Big Boy Junction.

During WWII, he left Finley and went to Oakland California to work at the shipyard as a rigger. While there he met the love of his life who also worked at the shipyard, Bessie Thompson.

When the war ended they moved to Chic TN and began farming. In the early 1950’s, Leon Seaton asked him to help him put a roof on a house. This temporary job turned into a career of construction and a special friendship that lasted a lifetime. He worked as a foreman for Seaton Construction for approximately 35 years.

Bro. Harvey and Sis. Bessie lived on a corner lot in Finley since 1953. They are remembered for their goldfish pond, for raising orphaned squirrels, raising quail, building martin houses, and for treating neighborhood kids with homemade cookies and snow cones. They enjoyed traveling all over the United States with their church friends. They visited 45 of the 50 states.

After Mrs. Bessie passed away he married Dot Seaton Daugherty. Through this marriage he gained 2 children, Pam D. Stanley (Barry) and Barry Daugherty, 2 grandchildren Misty Stanley Kennedy (Kevin) and Stephanie Stanley Jones (Trenn), and 7 great grandchildren, Savannah Kennedy Moore (Kurtis), Cade, Madelyn, and Finley Kennedy, Jaxon and Lucas Perdue, and Savannah Jones, and 1 great-great grandchild Breland Moore.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife, Bessie M. Williamson, his second wife, Dot M. Williamson, his step-son, Barry Daugherty, and four sisters, Gladys Studard, Thelma Homer, Dora Walton Divoky, and Christine Williamson.

The family will receive friends Wednesday, July 11th from 5:00 PM – 08:00 PM at Finley United Pentecostal Church. Funeral services will be Thursday, July 12th, at 11:00 AM at Finley United Pentecostal Church officiated by Bro. Doug Ellingsworth. Interment will follow at Dyer County Memorial Gardens.

Pallbearers are Kevin Kennedy, Trenn Jones, Steve Walker, Keith Tucker, Jeff Tucker, and Mark Thompson. Honorary pallbearers are his great grandchildren who brightened his days.

The family requests memorials be directed to Finley United Pentecostal Church, PO Box 119, Finley TN 38030.