of El Dorado, AR
February 23, 1953 - October 31, 2023
Sara Quency Booker Finnell, 70, of El Dorado, died October 31, 2023, in Little Rock. She was born February 23, 1953 in Conway, Arkansas, to the late George and Sadie Gilmore Booker. Sara was a graduate of El Dorado High School and earned degrees in Early Childhood Education from Southern Arkansas University. She retired from the El Dorado School System in 2015 after 40 years of service and was a long-time member of the East Faulkner Church of Christ.
Survivors include her brother, Bill Booker and his wife, Carolyn of Little Rock; a nephew, Four Meaher of Mobile, Alabama; nieces, Meg Meaher of Charlotte, North Carolina, Annie Meaher, of Mobile, Alabama, Sarah Meaher of Orlando, Florida, Helen Meaher of Mobile, Alabama, Sadie Wright of Concord, North Carolina; and her brother-in-law, Gus Meaher of Mobile, Alabama. Additional survivors include numerous cousins who were very special to her. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Charles Finnell, and her sister, Mary Lou Meaher.
Sara was a wonderful teacher to so many and a devoted caregiver to her parents.
Visitation will begin at 1:00 p.m. followed by funeral services at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, November 4, 2023, at Young's Funeral Directors, 508 Champagnolle Road, El Dorado, Arkansas. A private burial will follow the service.
The family would like to express their deep appreciation to Dr. Rhonda Gentry and her wonderful colleagues at CARTI and to the staff at Hospice Home Care on Bowman Road.
Memorials may be made to the CARTI Foundation, 8901 Carti Way, Little Rock, Arkansas 72205.
Sign Guestbook
16 Condolence(s)
Josephine Perry
Tuesday, November 7, 2023
Mr. Booker so sorry for your loss will be praying for the family
Missy Lewis
Sunday, November 5, 2023
Sara was such a wonderful person. I truly enjoyed getting to know her. We shared great stories of our common history in Ruston, LA. She was dear and fought a long battle with grace. I am forever grateful that her brother Bill introduced us. She will be missed and I am thinking of you, Bill, at this time.
Esther King
Friday, November 3, 2023
Bill and Carolyn, I'm so sorry for your personal loss with Sara's passing. I learned to know your family when we lived in ElDorado for a while. Pleasant memories. Sara was a dear. I know you will miss her very much. I'm leaving this message for you and Carolyn from Numbers 6:24-26. God Bless
Chris Milburn
Friday, November 3, 2023
Bill very sorry for your loss from myself and everyone at Memphis Coach. You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers.
John Vestal
Friday, November 3, 2023
Jenny and I send our condolences to Sara's family, especially to Bill. We are so very sorry for your loss. Sara will be missed.
Jean Jenkins
Friday, November 3, 2023
Bill you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
Gay Cole Bechtelheimer
Friday, November 3, 2023
Sara, exemplary and elegant. Beloved by her family, friends, and students. Her life, well lived.
Sherry Goodwin Brown
Friday, November 3, 2023
Bill and Carolyn,
I am saddened to read of the passing of Sara. I had the pleasure of knowing Sara through Sadie and my Mom working together, then Sara and I working together teaching at Retta Brown. Sara was always kind, funny, and had a dry sense of humor and a smile on her face all the time. She loved teaching kindergarten, and gently guided so many students to be successful in the future. May God comfort all of the family knowing she is now in His loving care reunited with your loved ones who preceded her.
Audrey Miller
Thursday, November 2, 2023
I’m so sorry to hear of Sara’s passing but I know she is more fully alive and well than ever before!! May the Lord bless those of her family who will miss her and comfort them with His love.
Liz Hendricks
Thursday, November 2, 2023
I am saddened to hear of Sara’s passing. She and I taught kindergarten together at Retta Brown in the good old days! She was a dedicated rule follower and I definitely added some spice to our hum drum single life in those eight years we worked together with Coy Henley. Sara was the calm one and I was the storm! Back in the late 80’s, Alaska was promoting teaching in the “outback”. Sara and I actually went as far as to get all the necessary paperwork sent to us and began the process for a background check by the FBI. We would talk and plan and dream of making tons of money in that one year up north. Well, when reality hit us and we found out where we probably would be assigned, no one laughed as loud as Sadie! Our assignment would be out in a remote village, reachable by a dogsled. Well, it never happened. Sara stayed in El Dorado to finish out her career with the El Dorado School District and I moved to Northwest Arkansas. What precious memories fill my saddened, heavy heart hearing of my friend’s passing. Bill, prayers for all left behind in the coming days. Sara Quency will be sorely missed.
Brenda Miles
Thursday, November 2, 2023
Bill, my heart is both saddened and joyful at the news of Sara's death. We who loved her grieve that she is no longer with us; yet a celebration of joy is going on in Heaven as she is reunited with her parents, sister, and others she loved who have gone on before her. Sara was truly a Christian Southern LADY in all aspects of these words. In her own quiet way, she showed her love and care-giving through deeds rather than spoken words. This is the truest form of love and family, students and friends were the recipients of her gift. You and Carolyn have been so gracious in your care-giving back to her in return. You could have done NOTHING more than what you did...you gave your little sister a part of your own life. Paraphrase: "How beautiful to the Lord is the death of His SAINTS"
Brandi Reynolds
Thursday, November 2, 2023
I was just looking at an old scrap book from when I was in Kindergarten at Retta Brown School.m. She was Ms. Booker then. I am now 47 years old but have never forgotten her. She has always been my favorite teacher and was the kindest person. Thank you for being the teacher I needed at such a young age. You were amazing, and you’ll never be forgotten. ??
Mary Lou Pratt Manus
Thursday, November 2, 2023
I am so sorry to hear of Sara's passing. She will be missed.
Mary Lou Manus
John Morgan
Thursday, November 2, 2023
Bill, I'm so sorry for your loss. My prayers are with you and the family.
Terry & Billie Duffie
Wednesday, November 1, 2023
Bill & Carolyn:
You have done a wonderful ministry of caring for your sister through her illness. Now you can take great comfort in knowing that she is in the care of our Lord and has no health issues, pain or sadness.
I wish that Billie & I could attend the services; however, I know you & Carolyn understand that you will be in our thoughts and prayers.
Love,
Terry & Billie
Mandy Limbird
Wednesday, November 1, 2023
Sara was a kind and gentle lady. Her passing is sad. I’ll miss our sharing our enthusiasm of attending estate sales and sharing our finds!
Sara sent the most beautiful Christmas cards I ever received.
My condolences to the family.