Iris Larue Finkler

Iris Larue Wilcox Finkler of Alexandria, VA/Monument, CO, age 79 years old, returned home on Monday, August 19, 2024. 

She was the daughter of Bly and Eunice Wilcox; former wife of Alan Poyser and Warren Finkler; mother of Alan Jr., Brancy, Charlie, and Julia; grandmother of Charlotte and Braiden; and sister of Nellie Strickland, Sarah Colvin, and Barbara Smith. 

Iris was born and raised in Havana, FL. Though petite in size and short in stature, Iris was a force of nature who challenged herself and created opportunities all her life. Post receiving her high school diploma, Iris attended and graduated from the Grady Hospital School of Nursing in Atlanta, GA. It was there that Iris acquired her registered nursing status – widely recognized for its prestige in the healthcare profession. Iris then moved to Cleveland, OH and served as an oncology nurse. While there, Iris temporarily switched careers and became a stewardess with Northeast Airlines (which later became Delta). She also participated in the Miss America pageant for Ohio placing in the top five. As a stewardess, Iris was based in Long Island at one point where she met her first husband, Alan Poyser. Iris then left her airline career behind. Alan and Iris later moved to Seattle, WA before divorcing. They had one child together, Alan Poyser Jr. Iris then moved to San Diego, CA, working at Scripps Hospital and continued her flying aspirations by taking flying lessons. She later moved back to Atlanta, GA where she met her second husband, Warren Finkler, and had their first child, Brancy. Iris and Warren later moved to Greenville, SC and Monument, CO having two more children together – Charlie and Julia. Iris became a stay-at-home mom for a number of years and served in the school’s Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO); volunteered in the community; and supported her children’s activities and hobbies in various capacities. Iris returned to school acquiring a Bachelor of Nursing (BSN) from the Beth El College of Nursing in the late 1980s and then had a career spanning more than 15 years – primarily in the Critical Care Unit, Emergency Room, and Intensive Care Unit specializing in cardiac. She worked all over the U.S having licenses in seven different states. Her coveted achievement was acquiring the CCRN – Critical Care Registered Nurse certification. 

Her steadfast faith and relationship with the Lord were of utmost importance to her, culminating in service at a number of churches over the years; participation in various Bible studies and groups; travel to the Holy Land in the late 1980s; and completion of an intensive summer ministry program in 2022. 

Iris was adventurous, beautiful, bold, curious, feisty, funny, independent, passionate, smart, strong, and tough. This green eyed “Tallahassee Lassie” will be greatly missed but never, ever forgotten. 

A Celebration of her life will be held at 11:00 AM on Monday, November 25, 2024 at Faith Funeral Home & Crematory. A reception will follow the service.