Sam Finley

Samuel "Sam" Gwyn Finley, Jr., of Elon entered heaven on Monday, August 11, 2025.

Born in Alamance County, he was the husband of the late Nancy Whitesell Finley and the son of Samuel Gwyn Finley. Sr. and Eva Lambeth Finley, both deceased. Mr. Finley was a 1953 graduate of E.M. Holt High School. He loved football and played for a year at the great Appalachian State University! He spent his work life driving big trucks and hauling freight across the eastern seaboard, was a Teamsters member, loved farming, and exemplified the value of a great work ethic.

Sam was a lifelong devoted member of St. Mark's Community Church where he served as both a deacon and elder. He loved his local church family and especially enjoyed sharing life's journey, following Jesus, with his Sunday school class. As an avid fisherman and hunter, he enjoyed being on the water and in the woods with some of his best friends from his church, enjoying God's creation with his good friends, Bill, Doug, Pete, and Lee.

Sam tried to attend every event his grandchildren were in. This strong, quiet and serious man was known to simultaneously yell loudly and shed a tear of joy when his 'grands' would dance with beauty and grace, play offensive line on a football team, out maneuver a defender in lacrosse, or hit a grand slam. Luckily when the "grands" aged out of sports, the great grandchildren were filling in the gap. He would also want you to know that he was a huge fan of the Atlanta Braves, whether they were winning or losing.

Survivors include three daughters, Sherri Davila and husband David of Sneads Ferry, Susan Tilley and husband Tony of Wilson, and Nancy Carpenter and husband Brooke of Burlington; three grandchildren, Adam Davila, Caleb Carpenter, and Caroline Carpenter; three great-grandchildren, Sammy, Sawyer, and Scarlett Dean; sister, Betty Finley Schwartz and husband Gary; and numerous nieces and nephews that were dear to his heart. He was preceded in death by his beautiful granddaughter, Katy Tilley Dean and wonderful sister Ruth Finley Wakefield.

The service celebrating Sam's life will be conducted at St. Mark's Community Church on Friday, August 15, 2025 at 2:00p.m. with the family receiving friends in the Lobby at St. Mark's Community Church immediately following the committal service at the church cemetery.

Memorials may be made to St. Mark's Community Church, 1230 St. Marks Church Road, Burlington, NC 27215 or to Authoracare Collective of Burlington, 914 Chapel Hill Road, Burlington, NC 27215, 336.532.0100.