More than a lifetime of service

When longtime Culpeper County registrar Alta Brown Finks announced her retirement two years ago, she made it clear that she didn’t want a party.

“She was adamant that we didn’t have it,” said Michele White, Culpeper County Registrar who worked alongside Finks for three years until her retirement in June 2007. “She just didn’t like much fanfare.”

Described as extremely private, Finks was known as a no-nonsense person who kept to herself.

However, there was one place where the public could always find her: Sitting behind a desk at Valley Music Company, her downtown store on West Davis Street that she used to register voters. Finks died Sunday. She was 96.

Before she retired at the age of 94, Finks was known as the oldest and longest serving registrar in Virginia history, on the job since the mid-1960s.

Longtime friend James “Chuck” Holmes, former electoral board secretary from 1990 to 2007 and 23-year member of the electoral board, described Finks as a dedicated and kind person.

“I really admired her character,” Holmes said. “She never had a negative thing to say about anyone.”

Holmes recalled Finks’ determination, showing up to work just three days following major surgery.

Growing up in Lignum, Holmes said his family has known the Brown family for many generations.

Before the county provided funds for the registrar’s office, Holmes said, Finks paid for the office’s phone service and brought in her own furniture and office supplies.

“You don’t find that type of person anymore,” he added.

Barbara Cockrell, director of operations for the Virginia State Board of Elections in Richmond, said Finks saw many changes over the years.

“She has long history,” said Cockrell. “She was quite an institution. It’s pretty remarkable for anyone to work well into their 90s.”

Finks was also a longtime member and treasurer of St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church.