John Finney, Jr., was born in Norfolk, VA to Rozina Forbes and John Finney, Sr. on November 30, 1934. He lived a wonderfully blessed and fulfilling life. Early on Friday morning September 12, 2025 he received the call from HIS Heavenly Father to come on home. At age 90, he passed away at the Chantilly Heights Memory Care Assisted Living facility in Chantilly, VA.

In his early days, he was a child who brought a lot of joy and happiness to his grandmother, Mrs. India Forbes, his aunts Mrs. Virginia Sharp and Mrs. Dora Brickhouse and uncles William Forbes and Rev. Edward Forbes.

"L'il John", as he was affectionately called, attended Tucker Elementary School from the first (1st) grade through the 6th grade. Like most children at that time, he enjoyed school. In 1946, he entered the 7th grade at Booker T. Washington High School. His favorite subjects were Math and History. He also loved music and decided he wanted to play a musical instrument. With the permission of his mother and teacher, he chose the Clarinet. After practicing every day after school, he was able to join the Booker T. Washington High School Band. After graduating from high school, he had several jobs delivering groceries and delivering clothes for a dry-cleaning company.

Later that year, he decided to join the Air Force. He became an Aircraft Hydraulic Repair Mechanic. While in service he traveled to Japan, Hawaii, Guam, and many other places. Achieved the rank of Staff Sergeant (SSgt), was a Korean War Veteran who received a National Defense Service Medal. After serving four (4) years in the Air Force, he received an honorable discharge.

He returned home and enrolled in Norfolk State College. There he met his wife-to-be Doreatha. After marriage, they had a beautiful daughter, Trina Renee Finney. For a short period of time he was hired as a mechanic at the Portsmouth Shipyard. Two (2) weeks later, he was hired by the post office. After working there for thirty-two (32) years, he retired and began to spend more time working in the church.

He was a faithful and dedicated member of the Saint Thomas A.M.E. Zion Church of Norfolk, VA for 90 years. Some of his active participation was in the following areas: Sunday School Superintendent 25 years, Steward, sang in multiple choirs, Usher, Food Bank, Lay Council Member, a Delegate for Annual Church Conferences, a Class Leader, Noon Day Bible Study and Finance Coordinator, and Church Treasurer for various clubs and ministries.

He was also active in Community & Civic Organizations: NAACP, National Alliance of Postal and Federal Employees (NAPFE), The Social Gents, and an Election Day Poll Volunteer (approximately 30 years).

His favorite foods: ice cream and desserts. His hobbies included: Fishing, watching cowboy movies, reading newspapers and watching the news, he liked baseball, and traveling.

He was preceded in death by his father John Finney, Sr. and mother Rozina Forbes; also, by his beloved wife of 62 years Doreatha Richardson Finney and his sister Rosetta F. Spires of Chesapeake.

Left to honor his legacy is his loving daughter, Trina Finney Fields (Wilbert Fields, Jr) of Ashburn, VA; and grandchildren Wilbert Fields III of Manassas, VA and Tiffani Fields of Ashburn, VA; his brother Ridgewell Finney of Norfolk, VA; his nephew Oliver "Micky" Fonville of Woodbridge, VA and a host of other relatives and friends.

A funeral service will be held 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 27, 2025 at St. Thomas AME Zion Church, 1700 Melon Street, Norfolk, where viewing will be from 10 am until 11 am the day of the service. Interment will be at Roosevelt Memorial Park.

Livestream will be provided by St. Thomas AME Zion Church: https://www.youtube.com/@st.thomasamezionchurchnorf3867

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