Obituary published on Legacy.com by Cooper & Humbles Funeral Company Inc on Oct. 14, 2025.
Thomas Lee Finney, son of the late Irvin Roosevelt Finney and Margaret Northan, was born December 16, 1928, in Hopeton, Virginia. God quietly called him home on February 19, 2025.
Thomas was educated in Accomack County Public Schools. As a young adult, he was employed as a farm worker. Later, he worked and retired from Perdue Farms, Inc. in
Accomac, Virginia. Soon after retirement, Thomas felt the urge to go back to work; so, he worked at Vankesteren Farms and Arcadia and Parksley Nursing Homes for a while. A little-known fact is that Thomas was a pug (a boxer) when he lived in Philadelphia.
Thomas met and married Elizabeth Ross of Cambridge, Maryland. He probably wooed her with one of his favorite sayings, "I'm a Good Boy but a Poor Boy." Another of his favorite sayings was "I'm a little potato, but I'm hard to peel." After hearing that and more, Elizabeth was smitten. Together, Thomas and Elizabeth had nine children.
Elizabeth preceded Thomas in death. One of their children preceded them in death, Loretta, and Linwood preceded Thomas in death.
Everyone who knew Thomas was positively affected by his sense of humor and wit. He loved to laugh, and he could liven up any family and friends gathering with his unexpected remarks about the people around him and/or the topics of their conversations.
Those closest to Thomas also knew that he was a God-fearing man of faith. He was a member of Adams Unit-ed Methodist Church in Whitesville, Virginia. When someone offered to pray for him, he would respond by saying, "I don't need anyone to pray for Thomas; Thomas can pray for himself. I don't want anyone to pray for me. I might be praying for one thing, and they might be praying for another. I'll pray for Thomas."
Thomas kept a calm demeanor and spirit even in the gravest of situations. He often would say that he was "cool as a cucumber."
Thomas had his own personal caregiver who made sure his every wish was her command. His daughter Julia took care of him for ten years. Thomas loved to be well dressed. He and his daughter carefully chose what he wore, often matching his shoes with his outfits. Everywhere he went, onlookers would comment on how good he looked. His doctors and nurses looked forward to seeing Thomas all decked out at each visit. He and his sons participated in many church and community fashion shows. Thomas lived a full life filled with the love and laughter of family and friends. Certainly, he wished the same for all those he held dear.
Left to cherish the love and good memories Thomas left behind are his seven children, Renza Finney (Barbara) of Pocomoke, MD, Thomas Finney, Jr. (Cynthia) of Ellendale, DE, Airey Finney (Regina), Marguerite Pryor (Keith), both of Parksley, VA, Earven Finney of Scranton, PA, Julia McCray of
Accomac, VA, and Kimly Davis of Williamsburg, VA; one bonus son, Larry Harmon of Salisbury, MD; seventeen grandchildren, Don-ta Finney, Kimberly Houston, Jaimey Showell, Edith Finney, Frederick Finney, Timothy Finney, Jody Finney, Anetia Finney, Britany Finney, Shakedria Finney, Katorah Clark, Verdine White, Paul McCray, Jr., Melissa Daniels, Eron Davis, Daryl Davis, and one he helped raise, Shenia Davis; sixty-four great-grandchildren; for-ty-six great, great-grandchildren; one sister, Juanita Mapp of Parksley, VA; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Thomas Lee "Finney 1" "Tom Pep" Finney, please visit our Tree Store.