Fincel Virginia (Ferrell) Fariss entered life's work March 14, 1935, near Rhea, Oklahoma. She entered her rest November 20, 2021, in Edmond, Oklahoma.

Born to Oklahoma settlers Edward H. and Annie M. Ferrell, Fincel was the youngest of ten children. She grew up on the farm and attended school in Rhea, Center Point, and Leedey.  The family gathered for worship with the church every Lord's Day, and from her baptism as a teenager until her passing, nothing remained more precious to Fincel than her faith and the souls of her family and friends.

Fincel met Ira Milton Fariss, Jr. when she attended Leedey High School. They were married May 22, 1953, and established their lifelong home on the Fariss farmstead five miles north of town on the edge of the Trail Flats. She was a devoted wife and partner, working each day at Ira's side.  In her own words, Fincel's proudest moments in her life were the births of her son, Milton Louis, of blessed memory, in 1958 and her daughter, Dixie Lynette in 1961.

Quick-witted and strong-willed, a cattlewoman in her own right, Fincel managed her time to be a farmwife, mother, confidante to her sisters, gardener, cook, and Sunday school teacher. She was a perennial booster of the 4-H and FFA, and many of the family's vacations were spent at stock shows across the region with prized cattle and camper trailer in tow.  She also served on boards and committees, such as the election board, Dewey County Fair, Oklahoma Angus Auxiliary, and many others. Fincel was a gifted speller and cook, as well as a talented seamstress, and in all things, she devoted her hard work "as, for the Lord."

As a grandmother she enjoyed and was proud of each grandchild's endeavors and successes, whether it was in academics, stock shows, livestock judging, sports, theater productions, or speech and debate contests.  She loved to share her favorite recipes and cooking techniques with her granddaughters.  As a great-grandmother, she cherished the holidays, hosting great-grandchildren's overnight visits at her apartment, as well as the letters, photos, and artwork that she received in the mail.

She remained at home on her farm following Ira's passing in 2013 until an ice storm the following year convinced Fincel to move to Edmond, near to daughter Dixie and son-in-law Allen Arnold. With her faithful dog, Reveille, Fincel took to a whole new adventure living in the city. When introducing herself to others, she always made sure to point out that she was from Leedey in Dewey County. Fincel immediately warmed to her new friends and neighbors, blossoming in the social life of the Lyndale Retirement Community and fellowship of the Edmond church of Christ. She continued to enjoy weekly trips to work at the farm and to make sure things were in order.

Fincel is preceded in death by her parents, husband Ira, son Louis, and all nine of her siblings.  She is survived by her daughter Dixie Arnold and her husband Allen, her daughter-in-law Cynthia Fariss, five grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren; Natalie Johnson, husband Matthew, Kaita, and Reilly; Jordan Arnold, wife Natalie, Addie and Annie; Lexy Proctor, husband Dr. Zeke Proctor, and Milton; Erin Tanner, husband Jordan, Troy, Titus, and Evangeline; Lin Zwilling and husband Dr. Jason Zwilling; as well as a host of nieces, nephews and friends.

Memorials may be made to the:

In Search of the Lord's Way out of Edmond, OK

or Westview Boy's Home out of Hollis, OK

C/O Shaw Funeral Home

P.O. Box 276, Vici, OK 73859.