Tula Ellice Finklea, named for her aunt Tula and uncle Ellis, was born in Amarillo on March 8, 1921. Her father, Ernest, owned and operated a jewelry store in the Texas panhandle city. Her mother, Lela, ran the Finklea household at 1616 Tyler Street as well as numerous charitable organizations. Later, when young Tula's older brother tried to call her "Sis," he could only manage "Sid." Mercifully, this became the name she has answered to since.

Ernest Finklea loved ballet and when his daughter began lessons at eight years of age, he was delighted to learn she was a remarkably gifted dancer. He actively encouraged Sid's training and, when she was fourteen, took the advice of her instructor and provided her with more intensive training than she could obtain in