Beloved Community Leader Constance Finney Rhoten Passes Away at 91

Lexington, KY – Constance Finney Rhoten, a beloved matriarch and dedicated community servant, passed away on December 11, 2024, at the age of 91. Born on April 22, 1933, in Ripley, Ohio, she was the daughter of Charles and Marjorie Finney.

Rhoten graduated as the valedictorian of the Ripley-Union High School Class of 1951 and married Charles William Rhoten on May 23, 1953. Together, they enjoyed an admirable 68 years of marriage until his passing in 2021. The couple initially resided in Cynthiana, Kentucky, before moving to Lexington in 1961.

Connie’s life revolved around her family. She dedicated herself to raising their three children: Becky, Drew, and Annie, while also cherishing her role as a grandmother to six grandchildren. Her deep Catholic faith guided her service as the Director of Religious Education at both Christ the King and St. Peter Catholic Churches, in addition to her work with Catholic Charities for the Diocese of Lexington.

After her husband retired in 1990, they relocated to Madison, Indiana, where she supported their Mayflower agency, Madison Transfer and Storage, while working part-time at Rotary Lift. Rhoten’s passion for community service shone through as she taught English as a second language to Japanese women and served as a Eucharistic minister at a women’s prison.

Beyond her local engagement, Connie and her husband participated in mission trips to places such as Papua New Guinea and San Miguel, Mexico. They also volunteered in relief efforts in the Mississippi Gulf Coast after Hurricane Katrina.

In her retirement, Connie enjoyed gardening, knitting, and cheering on her favorite sports teams, yet her greatest joy remained in supporting her grandchildren’s activities. She is survived by her children, grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, and many siblings, nieces, and nephews.

A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial is set to be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. on January 11, 2025, at Prince of Peace Catholic Church in Madison, Indiana. The Rosary will be recited at 9:30 a.m., with a procession departing the funeral home at 10:30 a.m. Interment will follow at the Indiana Veterans Memorial Cemetery.

The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, community members consider performing a kind act in honor of Connie, reflecting her spirit of selfless service.

Condolences and remembrances can be shared online. The family especially extends their gratitude to the staff at the Willows at Citation and Bluegrass Care Navigators for their compassionate care.